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[ NOT LIKE THIS...... of course, Hinata is making sure to keep total control of his fall; the side of him that knows how to fight is saying that this is a bad idea. And of course it is. It's risky, but if he doesn't risk it, how can he possibly win? Maybe it's the competitive side of him that doesn't want to hit.

It's going to be a rocky ride this way, but he manages to use Dunamis to conjure up something useful.

Spoilers: it's a skateboard. What the fuck. What is he thinking. ]

[A skateboard. If Komaeda wasn't so focused on making Hinata really regret taking him on, he would have stared. He doesn't have the luxury and considering the actual combat he has dealt with...this is weird as hell but.

His best friend uses a giant bug as transport. He reaches his opponent and puts his speed and momentum to use, sweeping his arm out in a almost perfect White Crane style backhanded blow.]

C'mon...!

[ Hinata attempts to time this perfectly. It isn't his usual manner of combat, but he's improvising. There's still a little bit of himself in his fight style, after all. He does a flip, a spin to force his body to be turned in such a way that the skateboard is what Komaeda hits instead of Hinata himself; while he may take the blow, and the impact when he hits the wall is severe, it's not as bad as taking it completely head on.

Clicking his tongue, he keeps his feet on the wall, using as much Dunamis he can muster up to magnetize himself there just for a few seconds before hopping off onto the ground, keeping his momentum and not even showing any signs of pain or exhaustion. ]

That was really close. I didn't think that would actually work.

[ HINATA DID YOU PLAN ON DOING THAT FROM THE BEGINNING YOU LITTLE SHIT it seems that he was actually testing Komaeda this time to see how hard that attack would hit... ]

[The warning threads of exhaustion remind Komaeda he doesn't have all day to chase his opponent about. Between that and the throb of injuries already inflicted...if he doesn't finish this fight in the next few exchanges he'll slow down too much and be unable to keep up his able body.

A flash of irritation crosses his face and dare it be, approval. An adaptive opponent. Mu is an unstoppable force of nature, Hinata is...not yet there but neither is he. But he doesn't have to worry so much about pulling strikes. Sparring with Hinata will be a near contest of equals. Ah, that's...really exciting. He whirls to face the direction Hinata went and falls into a defensive stance of his own.

There are very few openings but the part to pay attention to is the sweat running down his face. And the how carefully he's breathing. Yet despite that he still has a smile on his face. It looks feral compared to usual small smiles.]

Good move. I'd have had you if you'd taken that dead on.

[Pale gold light swirls around him taking the shape of a dragon with glimmering scales. He's going to burn out in the next few exchanges, he might as well really make them count. He's going to pour what's left of his energy into the last three attacks.] I have to thank you, I learned a bit of a lesson today! So, this time.

Show me how you attack, will you?

I saw it coming.

[ He speaks that seriously; it seems that he was manipulating his moves in such a fashion to get it to this point. Not that he would openly say that, of course. But he nods in response to his question, forming yet another stance; this time one of a person who's well practiced in kendo. ]

But alright, I'll give you what you want. [ And within the next few seconds, he's already running, faster than ever. He can't use Dunamis too heavily, and he's only used about a third of it by allowing his objects to dissipate after only a few seconds.

It's a sound tactic, but it won't last him very long, personally, so he'll just have to rely on his own skills. Hopefully he'll get a chance to toss him. ]

[Seconds slide by and time seems to stretch out. Or maybe that's just his tiredness talking. Komaeda watches Hinata close in. It's a little frustrating to work this hard to achieve his level of mastery and Hinata sails over it by remembering something. But that isn't his fault. And he will feel a little less worried now that the other can properly protect himself.

A person's life is like a star in the night sky.

Yes, he can agree with his master there. When Hinata's within ten feet he draws the power of his hopes into his body. Whatever the first strike is he moves swiftly to block it while stepping back. His movements are fluid and he is very visibly relaxed. He has hit that point of focus where his body and mind are in tune with one another. First exchange started.]

[ This is bad, but not immensely so. Again, he switches stances, this time moving into karate as he aims his fist towards Komaeda's stomach with one hand before swiftly kicking his right side, hoping that he doesn't miss this time. ]

[This time he only dances back just barely in time. He can tell he's already starting to slow down. He doesn't bother to attack or block two attacks. Instead while Hinata still has his body off balance he kicks out at the side of the leg he's standing on and withdraws. Further away. The less he moves the better and the longer he can keep from burn out.]

Komaeda.

[ Hinata's voice is stern and while he is still in proper form, he's already noticed him slowing down. ]

Maybe we should stop here.

[He only gives Hinata a defiant glare. It's a greater insult to his pride to stop here than it would be for him to be defeated. Komaeda makes a beckoning gesture from his defensive stance. He knows he's going to lose but he'll do it with his diginity intact, thank you.]

[...]

[ This is what he gets for actually caring. Of fucking course. Fine, have it your way, Komaeda. Sighing, he just simply nods before getting into stance again. He's serious this time. No holding back the punches (literally). Because he's going to attempt to toss him again.

Attempt being the key word here. ]

[It isn't that he doesn't appreciate the caring. It actually makes his stupid heart beat that much faster. But the first time he was useful and felt real control over what happened to him has been in combat. Also the principal of the thing. As he predicts, he's too slow dodge the grab this time. But he has one last trick up his sleeve.

His back hits the stone wall and protests his nearly half a year long love affair with walls. While the pain makes him hiss through his teeth, he transfers what is left of his power into his right hand. If he times this right he can get one last strike in. It won't turn the tide. But he'll have fought with all he had.]

[ Of course, Hinata can see it coming from miles away, and he feigns a punch to the left when in reality, he plans to catch the right hand that Komaeda is attempting to throw at him.

That's... enough, isn't it? ]

[Correction. Right fist. He had times it damn near perfectly. He even used the wall behind him for leverage. It didn't work and the space he can fight in has shrank to nothing. His opponent is almost right up against him. He can't even kick out if he wanted to. It's a bit distracting.

Komaeda looks at Hinata's eyes and lets his head fall, hair obscuring his face as he breathes hard with every exhale. With a soft, breathy laugh as Ultimate Luck says right in Hinata's ear.] I. Give.

[He smiles slightly as he draws back to take a little space for himself.] Thank you for the interesting fight. Truly, I enjoyed that immensly! [He looks up, making eye contact.] Did you?

Edited 2016-05-06 14:58 (UTC)

[ He finds his cheeks growing a bright pink as he takes a step back, away from Komaeda, rubbing at the nape of his neck as he goes to grab his shinai. ]

Maybe just a little.

A little? [Komaeda watches him go for a moment and wipes sweat from his face. He feels oddly focused but he can't quite place why he's hyper aware of where Hinata is. Huh. Something to think about later.

He picks his way back over to the porch with a wince. Work is going to be a lot of polite smiling and very little moving. At least he can't feel it just yet.] If you'll come inside I can patch up both of us.

[The backdoor creaks as he pushes it open. Raijin's orange glow condenses into the creature itself just inside the door. Well, at least there will be a bit of healing arte to keep tomorrow from being too hellish.]

[...]

Actually, you shouldn't push it, Komaeda. I didn't hold back there; I can tend to my own injuries, since I didn't get injured as much as you did.

[ Although he's slightly wincing a bit. He might be a weenie who collapsed before due to shock but he's rather durable?? ]

[...] It's less injury, and more reality sets in. In order to fight at an equal capacity I already expend a great deal of energy to temporarily banish my illnesses.

Until I can find a cure. My stamina is significantly lower than a healthy Dunamis user, as that has to be established at the start of any fight. Once the energy is gone... [Then he's back to the terminal illnesses and weakness that comes with them.]

I'm not at my limit, Hinata. [His smile is rueful as he adds,] Though I admit I would have been if that last strike had struck. Either way you should come inside as that's where my medical supplies are.

That's why I told you not to push yourself too much.

[ He lets out a rather annoyed groan before sighing. ]

We'll definitely find a cure, though. That's a promise. But alright.

[ .........he's just ignoring the whole "last strike" thing because uh. He was lying about being 100% serious during that fight but Komaeda doesn't need to know that. ]

[Actually, he's well aware Hinata wasn't being 100% serious. He just isn't saying it because to be honest. He lost his own head like he always does around Hinata. In a much more serious fight, he wouldn't have run around even half that much.]

I've considered talking to Peromei about it. She did help Colette.

[He steps inside as Raijin begins casting healing artes and lets the spirit follow him to the bathroom. Said room has changed a bit since last time. There's the shower stall, wall cabinets, and sink but the room is wider and contains a bench on the far wall. He gestures for Hinata to have a seat as he retrieves the first aid kit.] And Hinata, I push myself because I want to be taken just as seriously as anyone else. But, I do understand your concerns.

Don't think that I wasn't taking you seriously.

[ Because even if he wasn't going all out, it doesn't mean that he wasn't. Hinata does, however, take a seat, letting out a sigh before wincing a bit in pain. Shit, did he overdo it? He doesn't think so, but... ]

I just don't want you to do that... especially if it's a real fight.

[It's a strange mix of emotions whirling through his mind and he isn't sure what to say to that. Hinata obviously cares about his well being, he'd be an idiot not to see that. As he sets the kit to one side of his friend he finally says,]

I can't make any promises about real fights. But I will be more careful when fighting against you.

[He'd need to very careful in order to keep up anyway. He turns back away to grab a towel and passes it to Hinata before he sets to work.] I assume your back is giving you some trouble.

I won't forgive you if you end up dying, alright? [ Wow, look at this guy and his mother henning. ]

Thanks.

[ He takes the towel and wipes his sweat, sighing. ]

I just need an ice pack for it and I should be fine. I didn't break any bones.

Then it's good I don't plan to die. As I said, I won't kill or allow myself to be killed. [He pauses and strides out of the bathroom. Komaeda returns with the ice pack and presses it into Hinata's hand. He withdraws before the contact can linger too long to clean up cuts and abrasions. His face still stings where he felt the burn of a bullet ripping across it. At least it stopped bleeding.]

But this goes both ways. I will be very angry with you if you die. I might even shout. [He doesn't sound like he's joking.]

I won't. [ There's strength behind his words as he stares directly at Komaeda. ]

That's a promise.

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