Kaen You hear me Now? (Social between Kaen and Senshi)

[Kaen Youji]

As Kaen threw his blow against Senshi, he saw her pull her arm in, and the glow of kido appearing. She was attempting a defense. Kaen had a few options here that he could employ. He could pull his punch short. He could put more power into his punch to shatter through the kido with physical strength. He could use Redirection to absorb it and repel it back at Senshi. He could transfer the momentum into another technique that struck at a different point. All possibilities, but none that Kaen liked under the circumstances. Increasing his strength could help, true, but he was not sure if Senshi could handle that, if he DID break through her kido. He did not want to severely injure her or kill her. Redirection was a possibility, but this seemed like a low level spell, given how quickly she was using it, and Redirection royally fucked up Kaen's internal organs. Pass. Pulling the punch short or redirecting it on the other hand was possible, but Kaen felt for the purposes of this match? Unnecessary. Senshi'd had a rough go. If this were a serious death match, maybe Kaen would have thrown out one of these answers. For a sparring match like this though? The answer was obvious.

Kaen followed through without increasing the force of his attack.

His fist hit the Seki shield and rebounded. For a split second, Kaen used his full strength to resist the force of Seki, and prevent himself being hurled backwards by it. Senshi's reiatsu strength and Kaen's physical strength were about equal, so while Seki caused Kaen to skid back about a foot, he was able to maintain stance and posture, and was not hurled back as she had expected. However, the electrical current charged through Kaen. Kaen had never had any talent for Kido, and this was the first time he'd been subjected to the effects of Seki. It was not unlike being shocked by a taser. His muscles spasmed uncontrollably, causing Kaen to seize up, momentarily paralyzed. Senshi had anticipated that though, and was already rushing in to take advantage of Kaen's muscles freezing. Good timing, good initiative. Taking advantage of an opponent's vulnerable state. Kaen took note of it. Still, there was one problem. "Pull your power!" Kaen suddenly snapped out, an instant before Senshi struck him, for a reason that would be instantly apparent.

Hitting Kaen, for Senshi, with his muscles seized up like this, was not unlike hitting a brick wall. Kaen hadn't been entirely certain of Senshi's strength, but based on her display earlier and her use of kido, he knew it was vastly inferior to his. Kaen's strength was superhuman and if Senshi hit Kaen full force with either improper technique, or a closed fist, she risked breaking or at least injuring her hand. Normally, Kaen would roll with such attacks to prevent that happening, but in his momentarily frozen state, he could not do that. So it was on Senshi not to hurt herself hitting the physically oriented Vice Captain. Regardless of whether she pulled her power, however, the result would be the same. Her strikes bounced off of Kaen as though he hadn't even felt them. Her strike to his jaw wouldn't even budge him an inch. Senshi may as well have been trying to move a statue.

While Kaen was still shaking off the muscle spasm, he heard Senshi declaring her next kido spell. This was a low level Bakudo spell-- as expected from an unseated officer. What WASN'T expected was the force with which Kaen's arms were pulled behind his back. Senshi's spiritual strength was strong. Far beyond that of an Unseated Officer. Though Kaen expected he could break through her Bakudo spells with a little effort, that was because he was a Vice Captain. One of the strongest fighters in Soul Society. An attack of this caliber... "Geeze, Senshi-chan." Kaen commented. "That's awful mean of you, to fail to tell me you were this strong." But his eyes were amused, showing he didn't truly mean what he was saying. "Good reactions overall." He said, feeling the paralytic effect of Seki fading and allowing him to move again. Well. Move everything but his arms which Sai had locked behind him. "Hard to believe you're not even a Seated Officer." Briefly Kaen wondered if that was the politics of the situation, rather than Senshi's strength. Then he set such thoughts aside. Weren't important to the sparring match at hand.

"Well this isn't good. Whatever can I do?" Kaen asked, in mock despair, glancing at his arms, a moment before he charged Senshi anyways. He'd gotten a better feel for Senshi's abilities, and was now moving faster than before. The equivalent of around 300 speed. He was also using a little more strength-- about 100 strength. That said, he had both arms pulled behind his back! Was Kaen really this confident? Turns out he was, because Kaen's next move was to plant one leg and throw a side kick at Senshi's solarplexis. At this level of speed, he expected Senshi to block it. Maybe even attempt Seki again. He wouldn't be quite so merciful the second time around. As soon as it flew out, however, Kaen's leg came back down onto the ground, pulling Kaen in to strike at Senshi's gut with a heavy knee strike. Even with his power pulled, this attack would definitely suck to get hit by.

And following that, Kaen tried a more unorthodox tactic, and threw in a quick headbutt, tucking his head and ramming it forwards at Senshi's jaw. Kaen was making sure to check his power with every attack. A direct hit to Senshi would hurt, but it wouldn't break or bruise anything. She'd be winded at worst, if the kick or knee hit, and dazed at worst if the headbutt struck. Not that Kaen expected that to work. Going on the offensive like this without his arms, and while making sure to stay in the realm of Senshi's speed wasn't likely to land any hits off the bat. But Kaen was one of the best Hakuda fighters in Soul Society. Even in this situation, he exuded pure confidence that a hand to hand fight would go his way. Yes. Even with both his arms literally tied behind his back.

[Senshi Odayakama (Crimson.)]

The kick had been repelled off of Senshi's orange shield barrier, and as she thought Kaen had been debilitated for a brief moment. This was the time for her to act and launch her attack. However, as she approached with an open palm, Kaen had yelled for her to pull out her blows. It was too late however as Senshi had already attempted to use her palm to strike the man in the chin only to find he was stronger than she could imagine. Her hand hurt, and it felt like as if she were trying to palm a cliffside with little effect in her current condition of strength. Obviously, a test of strength would not help her against this metaphorical rock in her way.

Leaping back, she had gained around ten feet of distance before casting her Bakudo causing the man's arms lock behind his back. It appeared that she was successful as the man had sounded amused and or perhaps impressed at the strength of her Bakudo. She had been told that he was dissapointed that Senshi had not told Kaen that she was...so strong. That was certainly the most interesting thing she's heard in a while. She wouldn't have much time to ponder that as the man had spoke about how she had good reactions and how she hadn't been a seated officer at least. For that moment, her cheeks turned pink from what she took as flattery ad she looked the man in the eyes, but she would quickly shake her head. She most certainly would be in danger if she let her guard down like that...from his strong body...and kind heart...and...and.

Senshi witnessed the man plant one foot all of a sudden, and then tensed as a side kick was sent for her solar plexus. The lower body strength was of course always going to be superior when it came to combat force with few exceptions in martial combat. As the kick had been sent her direction, Senshi had swerved her body backwards as to just barely avoid the man's range allowing herself to be entering a crouched position as she took a single step backwards avoiding the first kick, and then the leg had swerved back down to the ground, a knee had been delivered her direction towards her stomach. She had to act fast and accurately in order to avoid taking damage.

She had spun in a circle to appear by Kaen's left to avoid said knee, and then would use both open palms to lean foward and push the man's extended leg to divert the force to the right side. Assuming the man had continued his headbutt assault, Senshi had then taken the hit purposely. It hurt, but she had done so in the hope of delivering an attack more powerful than that one as a sort of tradeoff. Her jaw was aching from the force of the head, and despite the fact she tried to have her head follow the movement of the blow to avoid taking more damage, it hurt rather a lot, but thanks to it her head did not rear back.

Senshi had quickly both of her hands quickly around her attacker's ears before suddenly two invisible forces of energy would push against Kaen's strength at the same time. The two forces would collide on both ends of Kaen's head, and although they cancelled each other out, it would feel as if Kaen's head were bludgeoned with a massive headache following most likely. Senshi had then followed her elegant graceful movement to attempt a leg sweep to knock the man's legs out from under him by the back. If the man had used his super strength to be a pillar like last time, she would of course be vulnerable...right? Senshi in this case would use a third Sho bg lifting one hand from the ground to launch the man skidding, and then tripping behind her leg and skidding against the ground. Senshi would pant from the efforts of her martial arts and dodging ad she was not the most physically inclined. She had not lowered the power of Sho seeing it was the most basic Hado and a non lethal one at that. Her jaw was aching though, and wondered if it was a fair enough trade off.

[Kaen Youji]

Senshi had dodged the kick, which was unsurprising to Kaen, fighting at the speed that he was. She deftly avoided the knee strike as well. Trading blows, that was all. Senshi was definitely an Aikido practitioner. Kaen noted. Her offline circle step was about as textbook Aikido as one got. And she combined her movement with her parry well, diverting Kaen's knee strike. Kaen planted the leg, for stability as he fired off his headbutt, which rammed Senshi's jaw. Senshi herself would likely be dazed by this. The jaw was pretty sensitive and a common target for boxers when throwing knockout punches. If nothing else, she'd probably be seeing stars after taking a headbutt from a stronger opponent, even if Kaen was holding back. This wouldn't stop her double Sho attack, but it would make it less precise. Assuming it landed. Spoilers. It probably didn't. Or at least not in the way Senshi anticipated. Seeing Senshi bring her arms about, Kaen anticipated a counter-attack. So he used a faster one. Not based on speed alone, no. Kaen was still restraining his speed to about even with Senshi's. It was faster, because Kaen's motion was more efficient than Senshi's, was all. Why? Because Kaen was ramming her.

The moment his headbutt landed, Kaen kicked off with his back leg, slamming his shoulder into Senshi's collarbone. It was a heavy blow. Not damaging, but the momentum would easily disrupt Senshi's intended combination attack, and throw her backwards. It was unlikely that she would succeed in her double Sho to the sides of Kaen's head when struck with Kaen's full body weight behind a sudden burst of power like that. Indeed, it was possible Senshi would even be knocked down by this sudden close range charge. If nothing else, she'd be staggered at least, and allow Kaen a moment to follow up with another tactic. This would thoroughly disrupt Senshi's additional plans as well, though, if she insisted on attempting her third Sho strike anyways (the impact from the charge would likely make her leg trip unviable), then Kaen would allow her to drive them apart again, absorbing the Sho with ease, and seeming, for the most part, unbothered by it as he was thrown back by it, catching his footing as the force dissipated, and sliding to a stop.

"That was a nice try, but not good enough." He commented, launching himself back in at Senshi again. He began offline movement now, standing just beyond his own measure, by about one step. Focusing on Senshi's hands, circling Senshi, looking for an opening. Aikido was a defensive martial art by nature, so Senshi would probably not give him an opening easily. Not unless he gave her one first. He grinned. Fine then. Kaen stepped in, and threw a heavy mawashi geri-- known more commonly as the round house kick. For some fighters, this technique was like a great club, that was swung through their foe. With Kaen it was more akin to a whip, which cracked out at the level of Senshi's floating rib. Fast and loose, despite how heavy the blow was. But if Senshi could deflect it, there would be a brief moment of vulnerability for an experienced grappler, when Kaen would be standing on only one leg. Or was there? Kaen would know about that moment of vulnerability. It seemed very likely this was a trap. But how would Senshi respond to this sudden strike against her? Would she choose the way of caution and back away? Or would she spring the trap?

[Senshi Odayakama (Crimson.)]

The crimson haired Shinigami seeing she was headbutted in the jaw was not seeing stars, but the pain was certainly sharp in its delivery. She had never even been able to launch her twin Sho as she was rammed straight into her collar bone as she fell the ground. As she fell to the ground, the young woman had lost instinctively curled and arched her back as she had followed the direction of the blow to flip onto her hands. She now knew a little bit more about hand to hand with Kaen's movements in their battle. She was pretty durable in the pain department. After all, she did fight quite a few of those powerful enemies. She had to be careful and focus a bit more if she were to win this battle. It was then though she realized that Kaen was being overly polite and that was the main reason she even lasted this long. She had heard him say she did a good job, but not good enough. She decided that was most true, and she would change that.

As the man suddenly leapt out and her before releasing his roundhouse, Senshi had wordlessly cast a weakened version of the barrier Enkosen to take the blow to halt the kick as the barrier would be destroyed. "Kai." The young man may find his bindings behind his arms release as his restricted arms were now free to him. The young woman had looked the charismatic fellow in the eyes before speaking nervously. "It is unfair of me to ask you fight me without using your hands Youji-San. Besides, I have something I'd like to ask you to help me learn. Teach me how to handle my blade properly. Particularly a tanto or wakizashi." If the man was up to the challenge, he would be in for a small treat as the girl would draw her standard 5 foot long katana. Now was the time to learn Shonin Joka properly. Now was the time to share her ability. She had slowly looked at her blade for a moment as if frozen as her eyes shook for a moment.

The partner who had always been by her side. She had thought of all the times they shared together despite their short greetings. "Extend above the heavens and fly. Shonin Joka." The blade would release a strong amount of spiritual energy as a blue tornado would briefly envelop Senshi as a glowing red light would be seen within it. Senshi's blade would be seen as the mist died down revealing a blade rapidly decreasing in height before all that remained was a three foot long tanto. Despite its weak appearance, it was stronger than it looked. It had abilities some may know about, but yet it also hid its powers from people in many ways also. Nobody in Seireitei truly knew her powers or her capabilities as a whole, but perhaps Kaen would be the first to analyze and learn all of it's secrets. All they could do to find out was fight really. Senshi only bothered showing the man her release in the first place because she trusted him, and because she felt an odd connection between them.

"I know it isn't anything grand, but this is my Shikai. I'm hoping you'd teach me how to use this weapon most effectively if you could. I have had Shonin Joka for a while, and I would be lying if I said I am using him to the fullest potential." Senshi would twirl the blade once in her hand as she then held it in one hand almost like a katana still on base instinct as her stance was still almost the same for this weapon, loose and watery. This was the rumored release, but nobody really knew fine tuned details of it. Yetsuna Yshmir had hardly seen it in combat, and thus knew virtually nothing of it's power. Shizuyoko had seen her release the longest and thus most likely had absorbed the most knowledge about it, but knew very little of it's true capabilities. Sylvia Kasumi'Oji had seen the release but never even knew anything about it. However, she had exposed it's existence and her partner treated her well. However, she was not able to handle this weapon effectively due to her style of fighting.

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen merely smiled at Senshi as she brought up Enkosen. His ploy had worked. As Senshi dropped her arms to create the shield of reiatsu at stomach height, Kaen pulled his kick in. He did not retract the kick though. Merely retracted it, bending the leg so that it would miss Senshi's Enkosen. Fueling his centrifuge. Kaen's opposite leg came off the ground, as he used his faked mawashi geri's momentum to spin one hundred and eighty degrees, into a high flying wheel kick. His opposite leg snapped up, well above the Enkosen to crack Senshi in the jaw at a speed of around 300, and a strength of about 120. Hitting Senshi with a kick that could have come from an Olympic Athlete. Considering his prior headbutt, Senshi would likely be laid out by this. Perhaps not unconscious, but her sense of balance would be destroyed by two hard, consecutive hits to the jaw. Kaen's technique had been flawless. No wasted movement, and drawing Senshi's defenses low to strike high. It wasn't an uncommon tactic of course. Misdirection was a common tactic in martial arts, but it was unlikely Senshi had ever seen it coming from someone with both their arms inhibited. Furthermore, Senshi's limited experience against striking martial arts ill prepared her for anticipating or defending against this feinted attack. That Kaen had suddenly sped up well beyond the speed Senshi had been adjusting to, made things even worse.

But regardless of whether the kick struck perfectly, or if Senshi devised a way to avoid the blow, despite committing her defenses low, Kaen would complete his spin, executing a three hundred and sixty degree turn, before landing back on the balls of his feet. "Watch your defense." Kaen told her, even if she'd managed to evade the blow. "Consider how much energy you're expending to stop my attacks. Judging by the strength of your kido, you have quite a lot of power Senshi. Probably high energy reserves too. But if you're burning them just to stop my standard attacks, eventually you'll run out. I can tell by your stance you're no stranger to martial arts. Those should form the core of your defense. At least against another martial attacker. I'm stronger than you, but that doesn't mean evasion isn't of use. Redirect my blows." He told her. In fairness to Senshi, Kaen did not follow up his kick even if it landed. If it had, even if Senshi was conscious, she would have unquestionably been knocked to the ground. Ending the match right there would have been a paltry task. But Kaen didn't need to. Heck. Senshi probably recognized it. But this was a learning experience. Senshi wouldn't learn anything from just getting pummeled. Regardless of this, Kaen would wait for Senshi to get back up, before continuing. And it seemed he would be (probably) rewarded for that. Assuming Senshi hadn't been taken aback by the wheel kick, she dispelled her kido on Kaen's arms. Kaen rolled his shoulders to get feeling back into them, as his arms had begun to fall asleep from being bound. "You didn't need to do that. It's my responsibility to clear up problems like that." He told Senshi in a friendly tone. "I got hit, so I have to deal with it." He added. "well done by the way on that combination attack. Follow-ups are good." He complimented her.

Then Senshi asked him to help her learn something. She asked him on how to handle a blade properly. Kaen put his now freed hand to his chin in contemplation. "Bladework huh?" He asked. "Hmmm...." He looked at Senshi's long katana and released it into a tanto. Three feet was still a decent length for a sword. Senshi showed humility in her zanpakuto's appearance but Kaen shook his head. "Looks can be deceiving." He pointed out. "The plainest of weapons can hide the most dazzling of abilities." He continued. "But if you're looking for a great swordmaster in me, I'm afraid I'd have to recommend you elsewhere." Kaen drew his own Zanpakuto from his back. A short Kodachi-- even shorter than Senshi's tanto, at only a little over two feet in length. "My specialty is in hand to hand combat. I have only studied the blade enough to get by. In another time I might have recommended you to my old Vice Captain. She was an excellent sword master." He told her. "Today I might recommend you to Sozen Kuchiki... assuming you could somehow get an audience with him." Kaen chuckled. Getting Sozen as your sword instructor would unquestionably be an amazing feat and turn out a remarkable duelist, but actually GETTING him as your sword instructor would be nearly impossible. Kaen seemed to contemplate for a moment though. "Hmmm.... Shade isn't around anymore either..." Kaen's mind flashed through potential duelists in Soul Society, and sighed. Hotaru Kuchiki, Francis Grin, Alexander Kumahebi. All of them were excellent swordsmen, but getting them as a personal trainer would be difficult for an unseated officer. Especially one with a crime on her record.

Kaen looked at Senshi. "Eh. It is what it is. Swordplay's not my specialty, but we'll see if I can't help you all the same." He told her. "I still have a general fight sense and I might be able to point out some holes in your bladework at least." He told her. "So why don't we get right down to it. I'm lousy at pointing out technique so let's take a look at your combat style." Kaen suggested, dropping Hachiryu down into a relaxed guard position. "Come at me however you like. I'll see if I can give you pointers." Besides. Kaen's kodachi was ill suited to attacking. Rather, Kaen tended to emphasize a more defensive fighting style with his Kodachi, using the blade for defense, and then switching to hand to hand combat for counterattacks. Something Senshi was going to learn about very shortly.

[Senshi Odayakama (Crimson.)]

As Kaen had fooled Senshi with his false roundhouse kick, the man had used his other leg as a support to aim a strong flying kick straight for Senshi's face. It was clever, and indeed with Senshi's lack of martial art experience, it was completely unexpected. However, as the kick was sent flying her way, Senshi had brought both arms up in a crossed X position to take the kick straight on. She skid backwards a few feet, almost stumbling as she thought fast. “Hold on a moment Youji-San.” Senshi had felt her arms ache from that kick, but it wasn't anything she wasn't used to after all. She brought her arms down with a slightly pained look as she raised her finger for a brief pause. Holding her opposite hands to each arm brought to her chest, she would have her hands glow green before beginning to heal herself. The bruising would quickly pass as she stretched her arms and rubbed them.

She was warned to keep her defenses up first of all. She then heard him say that she needed to use more martial arts as the key to her defense rather than her Kido. That seemed like a good idea but she was only as strong as a normal human. She knew her enemies were at times quite powerful and much faster than she. True, she could work on that but she still had much to grow in the physical department. Nodding to his advice, she bowed politely “Hai. I'll try harder this way.” She of course had continued on with releasing the fellow from his bindings, only to find that he was so modest. Her heart tingled as she looked at the figure, but then she had other priorities and questions for the man.

As she asked him for swords training, it seemed that he pondered possible teachers upon admitting he wasn't the best in swordsmanship. However, Senshi had taken the liberty to not look a gift horse in the mouth, especially seeing he was offering his time to train her. She took note of all of the names that were offered, but upon the name Sozen Kuchki, she knew without a doubt that having any captain teach her personally would only happen in a fantasy, or in some cases a nightmare. Senshi would learn more of swordsmanship if she could on her own and with help from some others. Shikadai and Kenji were gone...so looked like she would have to continue on the road. “I honestly can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. I owe you a lot.”

She had then looked to her shining blade before grasping it in her left hand, as she stood in a loose defensive formation not changing much from her old stance it seemed. Senshi would look to her foe with her stance wide and legs spread apart to assist her in swift movements to avoid attack. Her blade was longer than his, although not by much. She had then would make a quick dash for her foe before aiming a quick jab for the man...but surely the distance between them was too far apart based on the looks of things? Senshi had been learning more and more every day on how to use Shonin Joka, and so she had decided to utilize him to the fullest extent. Senshi's eyes would gaze into Kaen's as her blade had suddenly extended exactly a foot and a half to stab into Kaen’s body. It would most likely surprise the man, but she knew with reactions like his he could most definitely parry with a blade that small.

Assuming he had done so, she had quickly spun off of her left foot like water to then deliver a vertical slash to the man's right side. However, she would attempt a clash of blades. She had expended 1000 reiatsu to make her blade extend a foot and a half, and as ridiculous as that was...it could still perhaps take an enemy by surprise. “I've been practicing...but very little to test on to see if it works. Normally...people avoid close confrontations with me. Wooden dummies only help me for so long. She would keep her eyes on her foes movements as this was in all her 80 some years of being a Shinigami first sword fight. She still had other tricks to pull but...facing Kaen with a one handed sword was a dangerous idea. Of course she planned for that. She would at this point normally attempt a binding spell to paralyze her foe and striking...or a Hado to wound them at this distance, but she was having at friendly spar with Kaen...not a battle.

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen's heavy kick slammed into Senshi's arms which she'd barely managed to block. At full strength Senshi's arms would have been broken. But when Senshi held up a hand and asked Kaen if he could hold on a moment, Kaen obliged her, stopping immediately, and relaxing his stance for a brief lull in their combat. Senshi raised her hands over her bruised arm and a green glow emanated from them. "Hmm... Is that....?" Kaen stopped as he saw that indeed, Senshi was using healing kido on her arms, observing the bruises fade away. "You're full of surprises, Senshi-chan!" Kaen stated, impressed. "It seems you're an excellent kido user, with a broad skillset." He felt the invisible restraints on his arms break, and Kaen moved them out from behind his back, and rolled his shoulders. Getting the blood flowing back through them. They'd gotten a little tense and uncomfortable, locked in that position. "If you insist though." He added, cracking his knuckles and keeping his arms moving in the interim. Senshi thanked him and Kaen shook his head. "It's nothing. I enjoy helping other shinigami grow. If anything you learn today saves your life down the road, that's thanks enough." He told her. "And the same for me. I try and take notes from every fight I'm in." He told her. And there was the third, unspoken reason. The third reason was that Kaen just liked fighting. It was where he felt the most alive anymore. Whether he held back or not. No... even if he did hold back. These self imposed challenges in fights were another way Kaen could get enjoyment out of battle. Let him distract himself from daily life in Squad 7.

Senshi was getting into stance though, so there was no time for philosophizing. Kaen set his blade into a low defensive stance as he observed Senshi's motions. Bladework was far worse for Kaen than his hand to hand skills. As he had said, he was only a passable swordsman. He knew the basics of bladework, and he was, perhaps, a little better than he should be, by utilizing his knowledge of hand to hand fighting in his swordsmanship as often as he could, coupled with regular fighting experience. But he was no master, and would never proclaim himself as such. So it would take much more effort to study Senshi's bladework and look for areas to help her improve. But he'd try all the same. "Well let's begin, and see what I can do." Kaen said, throwing down the gauntlet, as Senshi attacked. She was opening with a thrust, but the distance between them was too far for the blow to land. As far as Kaen could tell that meant one of two things. Either this was a bad feint, or she was going to try and keep charging, blade first. Either way, he decided, it would be best to track her blade carefully. And it was a good thing he did, for without that plan, her Zanpakuto's sudden extension would have taken Kaen quite by surprise!

But fortunately, Kaen was prepared for thrusts, even ones that suddenly extended. Of all the techniques in swordsmanship, thrusts were the ones most like a punch, and the one that Kaen could best defend against. He didn't even parry Senshi's attack, but instead, stepped forward and off to one side, utilizing a Karate side step to do so, causing Senshi's thrust to sail past him. Kaen moved his blade quickly to plant it against the flat of Senshi's blade, controlling it as he moved in quickly towards close quarters, having already moved past the tip of her sword. But Senshi spun away from Kaen as he attempted to close the distance and threw a slash down at his right side. Kaen quickly lifted his sword up to parry it, attempting to deflect Senshi's sword by striking its flat with the back of his kodachi. The kodachi was a light and fast blade. Its lack of length made transitioning to offense rather slow, but its speed made it ideal for quick parries like this. "That surprises me." Kaen told her in response to her statement about people avoiding close confrontations with her. "Many shinigami I know prefer close range combat." But then, Kaen was also in a division that focused heavily on hand to hand combat. Speaking of which....

As Kaen parried Senshi's blade, he suddenly lunged in at her, with a forceful and quick inward step. His blade was up but it was in a.... defensive position? Kaen's sword was up and at the ready to defend any defensive slash Senshi might throw at him as he closed in, and then, rather than striking with his sword, Kaen quickly lifted a leg and threw a strong side kick at Senshi's torso to send her flying back. He had aimed directly at her rib cage, avoiding using enough force to break it. Given what Senshi knew about Kaen this approach to battle shouldn't have been surprising. However, it was still unusual. But this was Kaen's sword style. Employing his Kodachi primarily for defense, while his martial arts remained the backbone of his offense. In this sense, his Zanpakuto well suited his fighting style, allowing him to defend himself as he closed in. Thus far Kaen had little to comment on Senshi's bladework. How she would react to this, however, was important for Kaen's judgement of her. Kaen was no swordsman himself, but he had sparred frequently with his old Vice Captain who was an exceptional swordfighter. She had adapted very quickly to his fighting form, and had used an extremely effective style at shutting Kaen's primary offense down. Granted, Senshi did not use a Nodachi as Rin had. But Kaen was interested in seeing if she reached the same conclusions as his old Vice Captain about the best way to fight him with a blade.

[Senshi Odayakama (Crimson.)]

Kaen had praised Senshi in her skill in the art of Kido and the wide options she had pursued to help herself. Kaen was such a humble and kind man, she couldn't help but smile again. She had not been aware of the man's love for battle, but even if she had been, it wouldn't change her thoughts of him at all. He was one who helped Senshi even though he really didn't need to. He helped her in her time of depression when it seemed everyone else disappeared and walked on. He was someone Senshi could consider a friend seeing he made her smile when times seemed sucky. He was grateful for his freedom, and Senshi did by all means was happy to give it to him.

She had drawn her katana and released it as she saw Kaen used a small knife for his weapon. Or at least it sure looked that way based on the appearance. She had charged at her partner only to see he had deflected the blade rather easily enough as he rushed towards her soon after. She had swerved following the natural order to slice him as planned, only to see her attack deflected as her blades flat end had been effectively blocked. As her blade returned to her side, the man Kaen had rushed her with his knife in defensive stance as he would aim to defend himself against any sword strikes the young woman would launch. Odayakama Senshi had kept her eyes focused on her foe as she walked backwards with her foes advance to maintain safe distance away from the man's knife prepared to swerve and or counter an attack. She knew taking one's eyes off from a foe in any duel was a surefire way to get killed.

Senshi had backed up into a tree, and at that moment had tensed as she saw her foe preparing a strong side kick for her torso. Instead of tanking that kick, Senshi had swerved to the left to allow the poor tree of nature to take the punishment. The redheaded reaper would see that surely the man would splinter the bark and harm the wood as she knew he was a powerful fighter. After analyzing his fighting style for a few moments, a thought hit her mind as she realized the way to fight Kaen. He relied mostly on martial arts and his blade for defense, but his blade was short to say the least. Based on how the man had used leg work to launch kicks at her to extend his range of attack when she was exposed, this showed her some things. She had found a vulnerability. Now, all she had to do was act on it and take advantage of the situation.

As the man returned his foot to his position, Senshi had rushed forward on the offensive aiming to take advantage of her sword’s range. She had aimed several quick and fast jabs aiming for the man's feet aiming to make him dance. However, she had quickly pulled her blade to her side as now was the time. Odayakama Senshi had pushed off her legs to jump high into the air aiming to deliver a two handed overhand slash aimed down for Kaen. Or so it seemed to be anyways. Senshi had done a feint as the blade would have swerved into a crescent aiming to arc and slice the man's stomach with her sharp blade as she would be kneeling near him before quickly standing in defensive pose seeing she more than expected the man to parry her blows. She wasn't the best swordsman, and in fact she was lacking experience in the art. Perhaps she was more decent than she thought however. Who knew in actual truth? Senshi was ready for more critique on her blade work seeing she had no real style for her own. She had been acting on her instincts as she attempted to implement her Aikido into her sword fighting style and fight hard.

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen's Kodachi was not so much a knife as it was a short sword. A mid-sized blade between the lengths of a conventional katana and wakizashi. Kodachi were light blades that were ideal for defense, but they were certainly no knife. Senshi retreated against Kaen's charge, and deftly dodged his kick, causing the tree behind her to splinter. But Kaen didn't stop. Senshi had dodged to the left, and Kaen wasted no time in following up his kick with a sudden downward slash at Senshi's shoulder, as she attempted to dodge. While Kaen primarily used his Kodachi for defense, this did not leave him incapable of using it for opportunistic offensive attacks. A Kodachi was still a weapon, afterall. And it fit Kaen's style well, for his aggressive pushes that put him in range to throw his kicks and punches also put him at an ideal range to cut at Senshi with his blade as well. If Senshi failed to defend this cut, she'd receive a fierce wound to her shoulder for her troubles that could prove problematic in a protracted match.

However, whether or not Senshi guarded the blow, she came back at Kaen with a counter-attack, thrusting down at Kaen's feet. Kaen retreated against this series of thrusts, aware of the potential of Senshi throwing a sudden draw cut to his legs out of a thrust, and killing his mobility if he was not careful. Best not to allow her to drive a thrust anywhere near her legs where she could slice him on the drawback. His Kodachi was too short to parry these attacks effectively, so he was forced back by Senshi's offensive flurry. But Senshi was right on top of him and had leaped up to cut down at Kaen from above. Kaen's eyes gleamed. There's my chance. Kaen brought his blade up to defend her blow and initiated a counter charge against Senshi's slash, anticipating her blade crashing against his. But he saw Senshi quickly adjust her slash to go low. There was no backing out now. Kaen knew that if he merely backed away, then Senshi would score a blow for nothing, and if he sped up to avoid it, it would defeat the purpose. Kaen intended to fight at this pace-- a pace that was "fair" for Senshi to compete against. So instead, Kaen kept driving inwards. If you couldn't dodge the slash by moving back, then mitigate it by moving forwards! As Senshi cut at Kaen's midsection, she'd quickly find that the Vice Captain had closed the distance too much for her to deliver a debilitating blow. And at the same time, Kaen's elbow came snapping around to crack against the less experienced Shinigami's jaw for a knock-out blow. She'd feel her sword cut into Kaen's side, but there wasn't enough room to complete the cut. The guard of Senshi's sword slammed into Kaen's body, interrupting her slice. True, she'd cut the Vice Captain, but it was a shallow wound, and Kaen was in extremely close quarters with her now. Too close for her to swing her sword around. If Kaen's elbow strike didn't knock Senshi out, what was she going to do!?

Because Kaen wasn't finished. His free hand dropped down and clamped over Senshi's wrist, to restrict her blade work, and he turned his Kodachi in his hand into a reverse grip, moments before delivering a close range strike with the bottom of the sword's hilt to Senshi's liver, which would send pain shooting up through her body. A proper liver blow could drop someone immediately, and Kaen knew this. Even in this case, his Kodachi served to amplify his hand to hand combat. Concluding his elbow-hilt strike combination, Kaen's hand swung up from Senshi's wrist to transition into an underhook, and Kaen spun into Senshi, attempting a throw-- hurling Senshi over his hip, to slam her to the ground, and conclude by bringing the back of his blade to her throat. "Nice feint." Kaen complimented her, whether or not his attack was successful, his eyes briefly flicking to the wound on his side. It wasn't a clean hit, but it was a hit. Senshi had scored a blow against a Vice Captain. That was no small feat. There were many out there, which much higher ranks than Senshi that had achieved far less against Kaen.

[Senshi Odayakama (Crimson.)]

The tree had taken the punishment of Kaen's kick, and Senshi had avoided it easily enough. However, it seemed the man had aimed a downward slash to Senshi's right shoulder. Instead of attempting to block again which would be foolish, Senshi had swerved her body to the left to attempt to avoid the slash altogether if possible. Even if she took some injury, she should still be fit enough to continue the battle. Senshi was used to the pain delivered on her body, and she was durable. She would continue her assault as planned aiming multiple jabs with her katana sized blade. Sweat trailed down her head as she aimed multiple stabs while the Vice Captain retreated from her.

Now was the time to make her movement. She leaped into the air tricking Kaen into believing she was going to deliver a solid strike downward onto his blade before delivering her feint. As the man had sped up and surprisingly moved forwards, she realized he would not take any serious damage from her blow, but knew Senshi herself would take strong blows if she didn't do anything. Senshi's blade had swung into Kaen's body delivering a shallow cut, but in return Senshi's face took a blow of its own. The feminine figure was knocked back. However, the blade that cut Kaen began it's own counterattack while Senshi herself was harmed.

Immediately, the shallow cut wound find several extended metal expansions grow and wrap around the man. One would slide right passed and around the shallow cut which would soon become a moderate one from the sudden surprise attack. Senshi's trump card. As Senshi flew backwards, the man would perhaps find himself staggering from the force he exerted onto Senshi. Blood flew from her mouth as she landed, and then skid against the floor. However, she clenched her sword handle as hard as she could. "Tsuzuri Raiden." The electricity had traveled through her blade and through the several blades wrapped around Kaen. He would be trapped unless he could escape the attack and would most likely feel something much harsher than a taser shock. This was her fearsome ability known as "Split." There were six long branches wrapping around Kaen around nearly seven feet in length. They wrapped around him like a straight jacket along his chest and stomach. 

That blow was strong, and it most surely was painful for the redheaded reaper. However, taking it was intentional for the chance to land a more vicious attack. After her lightning Kido, Senshi would lay still on the ground panting. She looked out to the sun as this was one of the harsher and more productive training sessions she's had in a long time. The taste of the silty blood in her mouth was familiar. She instead of standing up, would roll next to Kaen before poking him. "Daiboshka Youji-San?" She was concerned for his well being as she spat out a bit of blood onto the grass next to her. 

[Kaen Youji]

Senshi dodged Kaen's follow-up cut by a hair, his blow slicing through the sleeve of her shihakusho but missing her flesh. Of course, Kaen wasn't finished yet, and was pursuing the engagement. It didn't matter. The two exchanged attacks and counters for a few moments, before Senshi had leaped airborne. Kaen had failed to parry her feint, but had at least ensured Senshi did not get off easily. He was ready to finish the battle. If Senshi had hoped that Kaen would stagger from the blow, she was, unfortunately, sadly mistaken. Kaen was extremely good at handling pain, and Senshi lacked the physical strength to seriously offbalance Kaen with a sword strike that had not connected cleanly. Kaen's balance was in-tact. All of this changed little in the long run however. Kaen felt the blade move, and at first he considered this was a natural result of Senshi being knocked back by his knee strike. Then he realized something was wrong. Senshi'd blade had grown in length. Long enough that she was able to hold onto the blade and still have it in contact with Kaen's body, despite falling to the ground. Long enough that it was scything around Kaen. Binding around him. Kaen didn't have long, so he threw and arm out to the side, to prevent it being ensnared in the straightjacket-like binding that Senshi's sword attempted on him. As Senshi declared Tsuzuri Raiden, Kaen moved again, for the first time in their battle, employing his full strength. Thankfully, however, this was not to hit Senshi.

Using his full strength, Kaen stepped in. Hard. If Senshi didn't want to be slammed in the gut by her own sword hilt, she'd have to shift it off to either side. That was what Kaen was counting on. Though he was using his full strength, he was still not using his full speed, and Senshi would have enough time to shift her arms to either side to avoid the attempt at hitting her with her own weapon. But, as mentioned above. That was precisely as Kaen wanted. He saw the electrical current surging up the blade, and had only enough time for this one move. Kaen spun, around one hundred and thirty degrees opposite the direction that Senshi had shifted her arms. Why? Because Senshi had made a small mistake. She had effectively linked Kaen's body to her sword blade. Where Kaen's body moved, her sword would also move. This meant that when Kaen whirled, the back of her blade would whirl with him, slamming into Senshi's side and acting not unlike a lever or a paddle. Kaen was using his full strength for the first time in this battle, and as a result, this was liable to literally send Senshi flying. A throw of colossal force. Fortunately, Kaen wasn't trying to murder Senshi. He could not adequately transfer his strength like this, so while she might suffer some serious bruising and even some muscle damage from the blow, perhaps even a bruised rib, it wouldn't break anything or kill her. A fracture would be about the worst one might expect. But there would be no stopping it. The throw itself would be an extremely unpleasant and disorienting experience as well, and she'd hit the ground hard, knocking the breath out of her lungs. The force of the throw would almost certainly rip Senshi's hand from her sword hilt, at least, so Kaen doubted he'd have to worry about her manipulating her blade further-- unless of course, she could do that without touching her sword.

Kaen would need the time for Senshi to catch her breath, because in the next instant, he grit his teeth in pain as Tsuzuri Raiden blazed through his body. Electricity surged through every muscle and nerve, setting it ablaze and the lieutenant was forced to a knee, to endure the high power of the kido. He had not been wrong. Senshi's reiatsu reserves were quite substantial to deliver this much power in a low level kido. And things were still looking pretty poor. Kaen had managed to free one arm from Senshi's straightjacket trap, but his chest and torso were still bound. Blood seeped over Senshi's blades as the winding straightjacket bit into Kaen's flesh. His little throw stunt had probably only made things worse. Though there was not much leverage for the blades in this position, and most of the cuts would be shallow, Kaen had still suffered a large number of lacerations across his body.

Amusingly, however, despite the heavy impact and throw, Senshi was still concerned for his well being. Kaen chuckled a little at that. Weakly, as he was still recovering from the effects of Tsuzuri Raiden, but surely. "You're a caring soul." He said in a strained jovial tone. "You slice a man to pieces and then ask if he's alright?" He joked. "I'll be alright." He assured her, a bit more strength coming into his voice as he spoke. "This is quite the zanpakuto you have here. I'd say I've quite certainly lost the sword match." He noted, inclining his head down. While he had freed one of his arms from being trapped by Senshi's blade splitting trap, his sword arm had not been, and it was bound tight against his body. "It seems as though you're quite good at binding people up. Is there something you're not telling me~" He teased her despite his position. "I'll let it be your call if you'd like to continue. It seems both of us are disarmed, but I'd say it's your win. Afterall, you actually landed a blow with your blade, my strikes were with my body." He commented. Of course, that didn't necessarily make them less lethal. Had Kaen thrown that elbow strike at full force, Senshi would likely be missing a head, or at least have a broken neck. But he hadn't. And there was no room for excuses. "Tell me something, Senshi-chan. Is it possible for you to produce blades inside the wounds with your Zanpakuto instead of merely binding an opponent with them?" Kaen asked her.

[Senshi Odayakama (Crimson.)]

The plan to catch Kaen off guard was successful as her blade in fact had ensnared Kaen wrapping around all of his body except for a arm. As she called Tsuzuri Raiden, she had felt something about Kaen change for a moment. “Enkosen!” The reaper had felt an incredible strength to push her blade. If she had time to swerve her arms to either side, she most certainly had the time to cast a spell. “Enkosen!” Using her free arm, a orange barrier had formed along her arm to block her own sword hilt from slamming into her stomach. If he were continue his spin 130 degrees, instead of the blade slamming into her side, it would only slam into the shield before the sword handle would clack against her defense. However, seeing the man was using his full strength, Senshi did in fact go flying with her orange shield shattering from the force.

She flew into the air, but she still had her wits about her. Now was the time to use her technique the advanced airground. She would apply reiatsu from the soles of her feet creating a vertical platform to allow her to skid across the air itself before taking action. Using the Shunpo against her airbound platform, she had pushed off at a rapid speed to appear in front of Kaen while he was paralyzed and stunned by her lightning. Now was the time to strike him. She had appeared in front of him before holding both hands just barely away from the man's ears. "Hado#1:Sho." Twin invisible forces would slam against both sides of the mans face most likely resulting in a splitting headache from the twin forces slamming from either side.

Assuming this attack had only further added to his disorient, she had then aimed both palms to the front of the mans face. "Hado#1:Sho." She had at this moment released twin blast forces to send the man flying back, perhaps slamming into and through a tree or two. She was panting as her shield arm had been turning into an oddly purple color. The man was not going easy when he used his strength. He was far stronger than anyone she had ever met, at least in Shinigami terms. She was somewhat surprised he was not a captain in all honesty.

She knew that the man wouldn't be beaten down by that. He was far stronger than Senshi was, and she was sure this man was the strongest Shinigami she had ever met. People like Kuroi of course were stronger, but in terms of Shinigami, Kaen must have been one of the best. She needed to get stronger to prove that she was a competent Shinigami, and to show her worth in her mind. However, when looking at Kaen she saw she still had a very long way to go. She would wait for the man to stand again and come to her. Chances were, upon flying the blades on him may have made a few more shallow cuts, or went deeper. Whether that was the case or not, she did not know. 

Shonin Joka would at this moment act...as it had began to move it's blade like appendages to tightly interlock with each other and squeezing tighter around the man like a boa constrictor. It would seek to wrap itself around the arms it had failed to capture while the majority of the appendages would remain wrapped around the stomach and chest. He should know that they were incredibly sharp. Senshi had taken the moment to look deeply into the area she launched Kaen to see what had come of him. She wondered how well she had done in combat in his eyes. He said she did well, but was he saying that only to make her feel better? She didn't know, but the fight wasn't over just yet.

[Kaen Youji]

Senshi had blocked his attack with an Enkosen shield, or at least mitigated it. She was quick witted, and Kaen smiled in spite of himself. Senshi was skilled and resourceful, and her Zanpakuto was dangerous. She was the kind of person Kaen wanted to see more of in Soul Society. Senshi used air ground in Soul Society-- a technique Kaen recognized but could not replicate. She followed this up with a pair of Sho strikes. Despite the electrical current running through his body, Kaen was able to jerk his head backwards, so that the Sho attacks slammed together just in front of his face, but the backlash of the attack still sent him skidding away, which turned into full flight when Senshi followed up with a second pair of Sho, which struck Kaen's chest and sent him smashing through a tree behind him. Kaen seemed relatively uninjured by this ordeal, however, though certainly it hadn't been a fun trip. Electrified by the Tsuzuri Raiden, Kaen couldn't even manage a proper landing. He stuck a leg out to catch himself, but stumbled and went down as he landed. At this same instant, Shonin Joka had begun to wrap around Kaen more tightly, attempting to ensnare his arm again. "So, you don't even need to be holding it to use its ability, do you?" Kaen asked. "But you didn't answer my question." He added, and rolled up to his feet once the tingling shock of Tsuzuri Raiden wore off.

Kaen was fighting to keep his arm free, extending it out, to make Shonin Joka work its hardest to snare it and trap it. However, it was inevitable that it would eventually trap his arm. All Kaen could do was delay that inevitability. "I'm willing to bet your sword can do that." He said, referring to his question regarding whether it could create blades inside him as well, as just bind him. "This match is yours." He told her. "In a few moments, your Shonin Joka will trap my arm, leaving me with only my legs to fight back. While I could feasibly do this, I would wager it will only be a matter of time before Shonin Joka traps them as well, and, even were I to use my full power, based on what I've seen, it would be well within your capabilities to stall and evade me until that point, even if you just had to turn and run. This is ignoring the possibility that your zanpakuto is not merely limited to binding me-- in which case, if you wanted it, I'd already have died." Kaen told Senshi. This was mostly the truth. Kaen DID have one option available to him, that could break free of Shonin Joka. In fact he had two, that might be able to defeat Senshi. However. The Utsusemi was not something Kaen used lightly, and using Bankai in a mere sparring match was unthinkable. Bankai was the pinnacle of a shinigami's power. Kaen wouldn't dare use it so carelessly. But without the use of either tool, Kaen believed his analysis was correct. "Congrats, this is your victory, Senshi." Kaen told her. "You put up an excellent fight, you worked hard, and today, it's paid off." He informed her.

[Senshi Odayakama (Crimson.)]

When she attempted to use the dual Sho to either end of Kaen’s face he had simply ducked his head back resulting in dual forces to slam into each other and negate the force. However, that did not stop Senshi from sending two more Sho to send the man flying and breaking through a tree. Just as she suspected, Kaen was absolutely fine from being sent flying, but Shonin Joka was now struggling to capture Kaen’s arms. “It isn’t up to me to use his ability. Shonin Joka is my partner and he has quite a bit more influence than most other Zanpakutou.” Kaen perhaps had noticed Senshi refers to her blade as “him” rather than an it. Senshi had stretched her body although her shield arm was in quite a bit of pain from severe bruising. At least she was alive and she was able to mitigate the damage to some extent.

“You are absolutely right Youji-San. Shonin Joka could in fact do it right now if he chose. Although nobody has been able to discover Shonin Joka’s true powers yet. It is a power that preys on the weak. However, I am absolutely sure that with your power that even with Shonin Joka binding you, you could win. I know that you are hiding your true strength. You yourself have not released on me yet. Thank you so much for saying that I’ve won this battle. You’re the first person in the Gotei that’s...actually given me tips to be honest in my combat. Most everyone else seems to be slamming me against their knee to break my spine.” She whistled and waved to her as Shonin Joka would unwrap itself from Kaen’s chest.

The redheaded Shinigami looked at Kaen before her blade would restore whatever Reiatsu within it back to Senshi slightly before she smiled at Kaen. “You’ve really made my day. Perhaps we can...go and get dinner sometime? I-I mean. If you wouldn’t mind courting a girl like me out. I mean! Aah!” Her cheeks were heating up in a blush as she looked sheepish with her mouth in her sleeves. “W-We should train again sometime. I promise that next time we meet, I’ll be even stronger...and you won’t need to hold back as much.” She awaited a response from her new found friend before deciding what to do next.

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen nodded at Senshi. "Then. If you want my advice on how to become stronger. That would be it." He said, in reply. "Your Zanpakuto may not be a tool, like any ordinary weapon. But it is an ally. In combat, your interests should align. Don't treat your zanpakuto like an object, but it could prove catastrophic in battle, if your Zanpakuto disobeys you at a crucial moment. Fight as one. That is another strength of the shinigami." He told her. "Align your interests in battle with that of your Zanpakuto, and there will be no problem." Despite his friendly lecture, for the briefest of instants, there was a reflection of sorrow and agony in Kaen's eyes. He had also fought in the battle. He had learned horrible things there. He had learned the fate of his Vice Captain. The person he had admired, the one he would have been proud and happy to have spent the rest of his life serving under. He also remembered the eyes of a younger Shinigami woman, who had said that she possessed an unusually strong willed Zanpakuto. He had learned why. He had learned that his beloved Vice Captain had been reincarnated as that girl's zanpakuto, and that the one, last chance he had. The chance to have a final conversation. To say goodbye. That had been lost forever. Kaen was putting on a front like nothing had changed for the rest of his squad, but in truth, something had broken inside of him, and he wasn't sure if it could be so easily fixed. There was only a moment that this reflection was visible in Kaen's face before he willed it away.

Instead, he focused in on what Senshi was telling him about Shonin Joka's abilities. "Then I was right to concede your victory. You could have killed me if you'd wanted to." Kaen noted. "And while I could release, perhaps, that would be a bad idea. My release is very poor for avoiding collateral damage, and I love these woods too much to cause needless carnage. If I released, there's a chance that nothing would be left." He told Senshi. "My release is also very dangerous. Even Vice Captains have suffered severe injuries from it. It's not something I would dare use unless I wished to risk my opponent's life." He told her as well. "This is an honest victory for you Senshi, and do not sell it short."

Kaen felt her blade unravel. His shirt was in tatters from the blades of Shonin Joka that had shredded the article of clothing, revealing most of Kaen's bare torso, which was lined in red, from the slight incisions in his body the sword had made. And more besides. Kaen's torso was a network of scars. And many of them looked fresh. A savage cut that had sliced shoulder to ribs. Barely treated burns. A puncture wound as though he had been impaled. There was little Kaen could do to hide it, with his shirt sliced apart. But Kaen didn't seem to respond to them. He focused on Senshi's question with a gentle smile. "Sure." He answered, walking towards Senshi and placing a hand on her shoulder. "It'd be my pleasure." He said. "And I'll gladly accept your challenge any time. I look forward to the day." He added, before looking into the sky. "The sun's starting to set. It'll be dark soon. Are you up for navigating the woods in the dark?" He asked. "If you're uncomfortable with it, you're welcome to stick with me for the night. I don't have a tent or anything so if it rains it won't be great, but the night air is great out here." He suggested.