Well, they don't really make practice guns either. ( Not for their style of close ranged fighting, at least. So he's with Dotanuki when it comes to finding other ways to fight. ) But I'll teach ya some time if ya want!
( He'll follow a couple of steps behind Dotanuki, skipping one and two at a time where he can. )
Rules are okay if ya're used to 'em but I haven't had to play by 'em in awhile. Once ya get used to breaking 'em, it's a little harder to go back, haha! And it's harder to break the rules when ya're used to playing by 'em as long as some guys've been at it.
( Imagine Mikazuki trying to keep up with some of the less conventional fighting styles, heh. )
Ha, true. But maybe. My eyesight's not as good as some swords, so I dunno about learning, but I'll think about it.
[He rolls his shoulders and neck as they approach the bottom.]
Never really learned rules myself. S'probably why the others don't like fightin' me that much. [He hits too hard, goes too far, fights too much like he's really on the field instead of just for show.] But I like that you don't stick t'rules. Makes it more like a real challenge.
Ya're kinda rough. ( It's a passing comment! Not complaining or anything but just vocalizing an observation he's made in the past. I mean, no wonder people don't like to train with you often, though? But Mutsu can sympathize there. ) I'd tell ya to go easy on me but...
( He can fight dirty and sneaky but taking a hit? He's a spoiled sword spared from constant battles. )
But if a fight's what ya want then I gotta live up to my reputation, right?! ( Fists in the air. He's ready! He's ready! ) ... But don't hit too hard, okay?
( He's not too worried about personal damage? But Haru's been repairing swords left and right. Give the Saniwa a break. )
We gotta work on ya'r sense of humor, ya know that?
( Next mission, right there. )
How's this place? ( And he'll stop somewhere in the park where it's open and clear but there are still some trees and a bench of sorts nearby. It's some place not too open but also not too crowded. The important thing is that it's a big enough space for them to train and run around about. )
[He shrugs and comes to a stop in the park. Trees and some coverage, a bench - yeah, this looks good. Dotanuki nods and then stretches his arms up over his head again, twisting his body this way and that to warm up.]
Looks good t'me. You wanna call an area, or just say wherever we end up?
Dotanuki rolls his eyes and stretches in the other direction. If he won, what would he even want? It's obvious that Mutsunokami has an idea of what he wants though, but would he win? It's possible. The uchigatana was fast and smart, even if he didn't hit nearly as hard as Dotanuki did. It was possible that he was going to have to do whatever Mutsu asked.
...But that was the fun of a bet, wasn't it?
He straightens and starts stretching his back out.]
Alright. You're on.
But in that case, I'm not holdin' anythin' back, got it?
( There's a look on his face, like Dotanuki just rained on his parade with that last part of the deal. Does he want to commit to this? Is he going to back out? Now's the time if ever, right? Instead, he shakes his head to clear his mind of any doubt and nods his once in affirmation, )
Fine, ya're on! ( If he can't hit Dotanuki as hard as he should, he'll make up for it. They're already in his element more or less. He can make this happen! ) I won't either! So no whinin` from ya either, got it?
( And he's drawing his sword now! )
Normally I'd fire a starting round but... heh! ( No guns. He's all for bending the rules but you really can't practice with a gun, especially a real one. ) Ready whenever!
[Dotanuki pulls his sword from its sheath and leaves the sheath behind for now, setting up against a tree. Then he turns back and grins, dropping into his stance.]
Fine with me. Let's do this!
[He doesn't wait since he can tell Mutsu is ready. After a slight pause to account for an imaginary referee telling them to ready themselves, he shoots forward, swinging upward across the body.]
( If there's one thing Mutsu is truly used to in a fight, it's aggression. His most common partners are the Shinsengumi swords and more than one had reason to not hold back against him. Knowing Dotanuki, he doesn't expect him to anything other than go all out right from the get go.
He could shift into defensive mode right now, try to get Dotanuki to wear himself out in the long run but what good is defense against a heavy hitter unless you have the stamina to slow them down? Mutsu doesn't have it-- at least, not against a strong sword like Dotanuki. He also knows he can't match Dotanuki in terms of aggressive strength alone so that only leaves speed; finish this quickly and smartly.
He can see Dotanuki's attack-- coming right for his front and Mutsu doesn't wear heavy armor at all. He raises his sword to catch Dotanuki's against his blade. He'll then try to apply as much pressure as he can, as if he's trying to get Dotanuki to step back and lose ground! Only at the last moment, he'll shift his stance and try to slide away, hopefully using any momentum of Dotanuki's against him so that he can deliver a straight attack, right at Dotanuki's side. )
[Their blades cross and Dotanuki can feel the pressure being applied. It isn't as strong as when he goes up against the tachi. They rely on the length of their blade and their strength a lot more than the uchigatana do. He's used to those pushes, and so this one feels weaker in comparison.
He pushes back, knowing that in overall brute strength he has Mutsunokami beat, but also knowing that any smart sword wouldn't rely on that strength to defeat a stronger opponent. Mutsunokami was anything but stupid and so it isn't a complete surprise when Dotanuki feels the sword shift under the pressure. Unfortunately, he'd been pushing hard and now he has to twist to avoid the attack aimed at his side. He feels the tip catch against something and then it slices through the fabric of his gi, a clean cut. He jumps back and then spins, bringing his blade back up to fake another slash before he jabs the sword straight forward.]
( It's a good feeling when you're the one that's delivered the first blow. It makes you feel like you're starting the fight off on the right foot and all that's left is to find the flow of battle and keep up from there. He can't get too comfortable, though! Dotanuki will surely recover-- and indeed, he does-- and that's why he needs to stay on top of his game right now.
If there's one thing he has over Dotanuki, it's speed. He knows he can move faster and he knows he can strike faster at the cost of having a shorter reach. He could pull back now, put space between them, and seek out a higher ground, or he could move in for the strike when he has an opening--
At least, he had an opening. A feint in response to a feint, huh? )
Waugh! Hey, hey! ( He sounds like he was caught off guard but he isn't complaining, just expressing his surprise the way he tends to. He's an expressive spirit.
The attack comes right at him and he knows he won't be able to avoid it, not without putting himself wide open for a second, more dangerous attack. The most he can do is try to minimize it, turning his body again to avoid the worst of the attack. Blade cuts through cloth and cuts skin. It isn't a deep cut but it's one all the same. ) My turn!
( They're pretty close now, aren't they? Close enough for Mutsu to try a vertical slash this ti-- nah, just kidding, he's giving Dotanuki a good, hard kick right in the knee cap right now and is going to retreat over to that bench. Come after him. )
[He misses, but if he'd been able to take Mutsunokami with that blow, then this wouldn't have been a good fight. Still, it's good to draw first blood - which he's sure he has from the smell of copper in the air. He's about to turn and get out of the way of a potential incoming attack when the unthinkable happens.
He'd been preparing for a sword attack. That, he could have blocked - either with the armor on his hands, or something else.
What he gets is a kick in the knee that drops him to the ground.]
NNGH!!
[Translation of that which was said through grit teeth? "You little shit!"
He has to stop and grab his knee, which means it's lucky for him that Mutsu chose flight over fight. He should have expected something like this, but, well, no one expects to get kneecapped in a sword fight. After a moment of rubbing the offended joint, he turns his blade around and spots Mutsu by the bench.]
Alright, gloves are off!
[He starts after Mutsunokami again, running after him.]
( He's standing on the back of back of the bench now, one hand at his hip and some how managing to keep his balance just fine. )
Gahaha! I thought ya weren't holding back!
( If he could use his gun, now would be the point where he would begin shooting at Dotanuki but alas! Some restrictions are necessary. He'll wait for Dotanuki to catch up-- get a little closer and maybe even attack first. As it is now, Mutsu has the higher ground though so whatever move Dotanuki makes, he likes to think he'll be ready. )
[He won't dignify the jab with a response, not when Mutsunokami is standing on high ground and gloating over it. He can't really be mad though, the tactic was a good one and he can hardly say he hasn't done much the same himself. It's just a rust spot in a hard to reach place when it's his turn to be on the receiving end.
Just before Dotanuki comes within range, he drags a hand across the grass and grabs a clump of dirt. With one fluid movement, he sprays the bits of earth and grass at Mutsunokami and hopes it's enough to distract him as he goes for a full body tackle.]
( At first, he thinks Dotanuk's tripped and that's why he's going down for the ground but no--! No ! Ugh, that's such a Kanesada move and Mutsu raises a sleeve to his face to catch as much of the dirt as he can. Some of it still gets in his eyes but not enough to blind him. Luckily enough, this is a very Kanesada move so it isn't as effective as it would be against most other swords. He still can't see clearly but he knows what might happen next and he focuses his hearing and his instincts here.
He has the higher ground. Dotanuki will have to work to take him down but the point is, he knows Dotanuki is going to try anyway. He braces himself for impact, holding onto his sword with one hand so as to not drop it and reaching out to grab Dotanuki with his other one. If he's going down, then Dotanuki is going down with him.
As soon as they hit the ground, Mutsu will try to shake him off-- squirming, moving around, scratching, kicking, and doing whatever he can to make it difficult to hold onto. He'll get out of this. He's not the type to stay caught. )
[The impact is jarring, but there isn't time to recover because Mutsu is already brawling with him. Or maybe scrapping is the better term for it. While his stats are higher for mobility and speed, Dotanuki has sheer weight on his side and he struggles with Mutsu, trying to pin him down.
He didn't expect Mutsu to fight like a crazy cat though.]
You're gonna scratch my eyes out!
[He says as he tries to push a hand into Mutsu's face. Oops.]
( You do what you have to if you don't want to stay caught! )
Ya'll be oka--mmph!
( Don't whine, Dotanuki! You asked for this!!! Ah, but there's a faceful of hand and he tosses and turns his head to get it out of his way. But you know, with one hand in Mutsu's face, it must be a struggle to keep Mutsu down with just one arm. Dotanuki's other hand is probably holding onto his vessel as well as trying to keep him supported. This is good-- a little inconvenient with his head shoved into the ground or else he'd try to headbutt the heck out of Dotanuki right now but he can work with this.
With one hand-- the one not holding his sword-- he pushes against Dotanuki's chest, trying to keep Dotanuki as off of him as much as possible. With his other arm-- the one holding his sword-- he adjusts his hold just a bit aaaaand
For a moment, his scrapping and struggling subsides just enough to toss his sword behind Dotanuki. It's an awkward toss; the sword isn't going to go very far at all but it's away from the pair rolling on the ground and that's the important part.
It's reckless to toss his vessel aside like that but being a rebel's sword is risky business, isn't it? If it's just oe opponent, he'll take his chances! He's never been the best fighter but he's still a sword that can proudly say he's almost never been caught. He's good at escaping! With his now free hand, he balls it into a fist and aims a punch at Dotanuki's face just before there's that flash of light and burst of cherry blossoms which signifies a sword coming or leaving. From underneath Dotanuki, Mutsu demanifests.
Of course, he manifests again with his sword that short distance away. He's fast about this but not fast enough to properly re-arm himself. It's not enough time to pick his sword off the ground, but he can still put himself between it and Dotanuki, gun drawn and aimed at him. He'd never actually use it in a friendly match so Dotanuki is free to call his bluff right now. But man, if this was a real fight, this would be a bit of a compromising situation. )
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( He'll follow a couple of steps behind Dotanuki, skipping one and two at a time where he can. )
Rules are okay if ya're used to 'em but I haven't had to play by 'em in awhile. Once ya get used to breaking 'em, it's a little harder to go back, haha! And it's harder to break the rules when ya're used to playing by 'em as long as some guys've been at it.
( Imagine Mikazuki trying to keep up with some of the less conventional fighting styles, heh. )
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[He rolls his shoulders and neck as they approach the bottom.]
Never really learned rules myself. S'probably why the others don't like fightin' me that much. [He hits too hard, goes too far, fights too much like he's really on the field instead of just for show.] But I like that you don't stick t'rules. Makes it more like a real challenge.
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( He can fight dirty and sneaky but taking a hit? He's a spoiled sword spared from constant battles. )
But if a fight's what ya want then I gotta live up to my reputation, right?! ( Fists in the air. He's ready! He's ready! ) ... But don't hit too hard, okay?
( He's not too worried about personal damage? But Haru's been repairing swords left and right. Give the Saniwa a break. )
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They reach the bottom and Dotanuki heads across the street to where he usually trains by himself.]
You know I can't make that promise. What's the good of sparring unless you go all out?
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( Trust him!! He's being serious! )
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[He'll adjust as he has to, but he doesn't necessary know what's too much himself. If he can spar until he almost breaks, he counts it as refreshing.]
How's that?
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Works for me! ( And he'll start to run ahead just a little because now he's excited. ) Same goes for ya too, got it~?
( Now he's just teasing. )
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[Oops, missed the teasing part. It went right over Tanuki's dumb head.]
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We gotta work on ya'r sense of humor, ya know that?
( Next mission, right there. )
How's this place? ( And he'll stop somewhere in the park where it's open and clear but there are still some trees and a bench of sorts nearby. It's some place not too open but also not too crowded. The important thing is that it's a big enough space for them to train and run around about. )
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Looks good t'me. You wanna call an area, or just say wherever we end up?
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( But he's already getting ready, stretching a bit and also taking in their tame surroundings. He can work with this! )
Hey, wanna make this fun?
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[He pauses in his stretches to arch an eyebrow at Mutsunokami. Wasn't sparring already fun?]
What d'you mean?
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( And there goes that smile- a no good conniving merchant' smile. )
Loser's gotta treat the winner. Winner picks how.
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Dotanuki rolls his eyes and stretches in the other direction. If he won, what would he even want? It's obvious that Mutsunokami has an idea of what he wants though, but would he win? It's possible. The uchigatana was fast and smart, even if he didn't hit nearly as hard as Dotanuki did. It was possible that he was going to have to do whatever Mutsu asked.
...But that was the fun of a bet, wasn't it?
He straightens and starts stretching his back out.]
Alright. You're on.
But in that case, I'm not holdin' anythin' back, got it?
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Fine, ya're on! ( If he can't hit Dotanuki as hard as he should, he'll make up for it. They're already in his element more or less. He can make this happen! ) I won't either! So no whinin` from ya either, got it?
( And he's drawing his sword now! )
Normally I'd fire a starting round but... heh! ( No guns. He's all for bending the rules but you really can't practice with a gun, especially a real one. ) Ready whenever!
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Fine with me. Let's do this!
[He doesn't wait since he can tell Mutsu is ready. After a slight pause to account for an imaginary referee telling them to ready themselves, he shoots forward, swinging upward across the body.]
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He could shift into defensive mode right now, try to get Dotanuki to wear himself out in the long run but what good is defense against a heavy hitter unless you have the stamina to slow them down? Mutsu doesn't have it-- at least, not against a strong sword like Dotanuki. He also knows he can't match Dotanuki in terms of aggressive strength alone so that only leaves speed; finish this quickly and smartly.
He can see Dotanuki's attack-- coming right for his front and Mutsu doesn't wear heavy armor at all. He raises his sword to catch Dotanuki's against his blade. He'll then try to apply as much pressure as he can, as if he's trying to get Dotanuki to step back and lose ground! Only at the last moment, he'll shift his stance and try to slide away, hopefully using any momentum of Dotanuki's against him so that he can deliver a straight attack, right at Dotanuki's side. )
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He pushes back, knowing that in overall brute strength he has Mutsunokami beat, but also knowing that any smart sword wouldn't rely on that strength to defeat a stronger opponent. Mutsunokami was anything but stupid and so it isn't a complete surprise when Dotanuki feels the sword shift under the pressure. Unfortunately, he'd been pushing hard and now he has to twist to avoid the attack aimed at his side. He feels the tip catch against something and then it slices through the fabric of his gi, a clean cut. He jumps back and then spins, bringing his blade back up to fake another slash before he jabs the sword straight forward.]
KEAAAA!
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If there's one thing he has over Dotanuki, it's speed. He knows he can move faster and he knows he can strike faster at the cost of having a shorter reach. He could pull back now, put space between them, and seek out a higher ground, or he could move in for the strike when he has an opening--
At least, he had an opening. A feint in response to a feint, huh? )
Waugh! Hey, hey! ( He sounds like he was caught off guard but he isn't complaining, just expressing his surprise the way he tends to. He's an expressive spirit.
The attack comes right at him and he knows he won't be able to avoid it, not without putting himself wide open for a second, more dangerous attack. The most he can do is try to minimize it, turning his body again to avoid the worst of the attack. Blade cuts through cloth and cuts skin. It isn't a deep cut but it's one all the same. ) My turn!
( They're pretty close now, aren't they? Close enough for Mutsu to try a vertical slash this ti-- nah, just kidding, he's giving Dotanuki a good, hard kick right in the knee cap right now and is going to retreat over to that bench. Come after him. )
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He'd been preparing for a sword attack. That, he could have blocked - either with the armor on his hands, or something else.
What he gets is a kick in the knee that drops him to the ground.]
NNGH!!
[Translation of that which was said through grit teeth? "You little shit!"
He has to stop and grab his knee, which means it's lucky for him that Mutsu chose flight over fight. He should have expected something like this, but, well, no one expects to get kneecapped in a sword fight. After a moment of rubbing the offended joint, he turns his blade around and spots Mutsu by the bench.]
Alright, gloves are off!
[He starts after Mutsunokami again, running after him.]
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Gahaha! I thought ya weren't holding back!
( If he could use his gun, now would be the point where he would begin shooting at Dotanuki but alas! Some restrictions are necessary. He'll wait for Dotanuki to catch up-- get a little closer and maybe even attack first. As it is now, Mutsu has the higher ground though so whatever move Dotanuki makes, he likes to think he'll be ready. )
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Just before Dotanuki comes within range, he drags a hand across the grass and grabs a clump of dirt. With one fluid movement, he sprays the bits of earth and grass at Mutsunokami and hopes it's enough to distract him as he goes for a full body tackle.]
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He has the higher ground. Dotanuki will have to work to take him down but the point is, he knows Dotanuki is going to try anyway. He braces himself for impact, holding onto his sword with one hand so as to not drop it and reaching out to grab Dotanuki with his other one. If he's going down, then Dotanuki is going down with him.
As soon as they hit the ground, Mutsu will try to shake him off-- squirming, moving around, scratching, kicking, and doing whatever he can to make it difficult to hold onto. He'll get out of this. He's not the type to stay caught. )
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He didn't expect Mutsu to fight like a crazy cat though.]
You're gonna scratch my eyes out!
[He says as he tries to push a hand into Mutsu's face. Oops.]
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Ya'll be oka--mmph!
( Don't whine, Dotanuki! You asked for this!!! Ah, but there's a faceful of hand and he tosses and turns his head to get it out of his way. But you know, with one hand in Mutsu's face, it must be a struggle to keep Mutsu down with just one arm. Dotanuki's other hand is probably holding onto his vessel as well as trying to keep him supported. This is good-- a little inconvenient with his head shoved into the ground or else he'd try to headbutt the heck out of Dotanuki right now but he can work with this.
With one hand-- the one not holding his sword-- he pushes against Dotanuki's chest, trying to keep Dotanuki as off of him as much as possible. With his other arm-- the one holding his sword-- he adjusts his hold just a bit aaaaand
For a moment, his scrapping and struggling subsides just enough to toss his sword behind Dotanuki. It's an awkward toss; the sword isn't going to go very far at all but it's away from the pair rolling on the ground and that's the important part.
It's reckless to toss his vessel aside like that but being a rebel's sword is risky business, isn't it? If it's just oe opponent, he'll take his chances! He's never been the best fighter but he's still a sword that can proudly say he's almost never been caught. He's good at escaping! With his now free hand, he balls it into a fist and aims a punch at Dotanuki's face just before there's that flash of light and burst of cherry blossoms which signifies a sword coming or leaving. From underneath Dotanuki, Mutsu demanifests.
Of course, he manifests again with his sword that short distance away. He's fast about this but not fast enough to properly re-arm himself. It's not enough time to pick his sword off the ground, but he can still put himself between it and Dotanuki, gun drawn and aimed at him. He'd never actually use it in a friendly match so Dotanuki is free to call his bluff right now. But man, if this was a real fight, this would be a bit of a compromising situation. )
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