A Meeting of Urchins [Kaito/Hyosuke]

As Kaito seemed a bit shocked by Hyosuke's rather light retaliation the older Shinigami took some satisfaction in at least keeping his new student on his toes. War, the pitch and flow of battle, was rather surprising if one was not acclimated to it properly. Things only grew worse the more combatants one added but, right now, Hyosuke was focused on making sure Kaito learned the principles behind pacing himself and conserving energy. Not that one could not, or should not, be devoted to their movements, but that one should control them and if you deliver a powerful, dedicated strike it should be when you are certain it is a killing blow. Not with every motion you make.

Thankfully for Hyosuke, and his skin-care routine, Kaito seemed to be beginning to take this lesson to heart. Though he was still learning, still growing, even though he could not keep a consistent distance with his strikes, it was progress, Progress that caused a small, satisfied smile to grace his face and he gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. A show of validation he hoped Kaito would appreciate, a way of showing that even as a "completely average man" he could still improve and become greater in his own way so long as he put his mind to it.

Of course, Hyosuke would not be a good teacher if he did not keep Kaito mindful of even this improvement. Not wanting Kaito fall into a numb sense of repetition, and while Kaito was swinging at places less sensitive than his neck, Hyosuke would calmly take a single side-step away from the direction Kaito's next swing came from. Realistically, it was a very simple action, but Hyosuke did it just slower than what he had observed and felt to be Kaito's reaction speed during their brief spar. He was not going to FORCE Kaito to fail and throw himself full into the blade, nothing so unfair or cruel, but he would make sure Kaito was actively paying attention to the measure of his strikes and was not just striking toward the same general area while Hyosuke was standing still.

He felt a sense of uncertainty and confidence as he continued to get into the rhythm. He was getting more used to holding himself back -- especially with the threat of having a far harsher punishment enacted on him, should he slip up. As he brought his sword back, he noticed the small, approving nod from Hyosuke. A small smile began to break through the focused, determined look to the young man as he went to swing again.

But, he figured that Hyosuke wasn't going to keep making it so easy, and he had to do a brief double-take when the man took a step to the side. But, rather than take too much time to think about it, Kaito would swing toward him again, halting himself accordingly. Even if Hyosuke would step out of the way, he'd continue to try and keep track of him and eventually start delaying his stops a little to try and follow where he'd move, stopping when he did.

It wasn't perfect, and he was certainly off at times, but, he was doing his best to try and adapt to the situation that Hyosuke had presented him with. In time, however, he didn't doubt that he was going to be able to swing his sword and halt it as if he were a master. Whether or not that was further down the road was irrelevant to him, it was something that he was still going to try and reach.

Seeing that Kaito was proving to be a very fast learner, far from the normal he portrayed himself as at least, Hyosuke was not expressly trying to surprise him when he dropped Benicho Kogo and the Wagasa simply...floated there. Oddly crimson bubbling in the fabric of the Wagasa keeping it suspended in the air while Hyosuke began to actively move his arms in simple Hakuda motions, as if executing blocks at Kaito's strikes, though he still never brought him arms purposely into the blade. No it was much more like Hyosuke was simply mimicking or vaguely reciting the blocks without any of the vigor or contact they normally required.

In truth Hyosuke was only lightly increasing the difficulty Kaito would find in controlling his swings, but it was a step up in difficulty, and if Hyosuke felt the blade contact his arms he would simply nod to himself. His singular eye staring blankly at Kaito's chest, not focusing on any one particular strike but nonetheless allowing him to react without flinching or being too invested in the outcome of any one half-hearted block he executed. After all, he did want to FEEL it if Kaito hit him, both to help him keep track of the number of times if he was struck, and to serve as his own sort of lesson as the instructor as a very visceral understanding of exactly where Kaito's weaknesses lie.

Did Kaito over-swing on low strikes? Those that aimed for the wrists? The shoulders? Hyosuke would count any failures in these areas and, if Kaito did not strike him a single time, he would weave together the two difficulties and now begin to step into the blocks. Putting just a bit more force into them but still not initiating the contact himself, still leaving all the control and refinement to be made on Kaito's part. But if Kaito DID find himself striking Hyosuke a lot during the previous half-hearted blocking Hyosuke would not do this and, instead, after a bit of either result would come to a stop and lace his arms behind his back only after motioning for Kaito to stop. Keeping track of how many times he was struck the entire time.

He figured that Hyosuke would continue to increase the difficulty -- repetition would be the downfall for anyone. So, Kaito tried to keep himself ready. But, as he started to move his arms in Hakuda motions, Kaito found himself struggling to keep holding himself back. There were times when he put too much energy into attacks and hit his wrists, arms, or shoulders. it was only a few mistakes, but it was enough to be relatively noticeable -- mainly because it's hard not to notice when you're being hit with a sword.

As Hyosuke started to step into his attacks, making more effort to try and counter, to try and force Kaito to hit him, it was another layer of struggle that he tried to adapt to. He pulled his sword back to his chest, making his attacks more sparse and careful, keeping firm track of Hyosuke's movements until he gave him a motion to stop, letting his arms drift behind his back.

Bringing his sword back to him, he slid the weapon back into its sheath and waited for Hyosuke's judgment. He was understandable nervous, given the rather ominous threat of more punishing retaliation, but also concerned with how he did in general.

As the two finished this exchange Hyosuke recorded the number of hits Kaito had failed to stop from hitting him. All told it was only 4 and Hyosuke nodded gently as Kaito eventually sheathed his blade and awaited judgement. In truth Hyosuke did not have a definitive plan for what exactly the retaliation would be as Kaito's strikes landed, he did not have a plan for everything after all, and instead when their exchange came to an end Hyosuke would fold his hands behind his back calmly. Singular eye taking in Kaito's nervous expression without a word, without a single notable shift in his facial features.

Finally, after a long enough pause to perhaps make Kaito worry, Hyosuke would nod his head as if reaching a decision and glance at Kaito's weapon.

"Kaito-san, tell me in all honesty, were you in my position what would you consider a more fitting retaliation for four unanswered strikes?"

Hyosuke's decision, he had decided, was to yet further test Kaito's honest nature, Would the young man spare himself a more harming retaliation in exchange for clemency? Would his humility subvert his honesty into demanding more than what was appropriate? Regardless of what Kaito chose Hyosuke was far more interested in the reasoning behind that choice. This expression remaining entirely neutral, if not a little curious, as he studied every reaction of Kaito. Whether the man's pupils dilated or widened, whether his face betrayed any notion of his thoughts or emotions, Hyosuke studiously scrutinized any betraying quality Kaito would inflect onto his expression or into the tone of his voice. His next sentence coming out softly, but firmly, and the words were stressed ever so slightly.

"I would like your honest opinion Kaito-san."

He wasn't sure what to expect when it came to his punishment, but he knew that he just had to take it on the chin, use it to better himself. But, as Hyosuke stood there, analyzing him, Kaito's nervousness began to wane and shift into more of confusion. Why wasn't he retaliating? Was it just to keep him on edge? But, as Hyosuke spoke, Kaito's brow furrowed as he tried to think of a way to answer him.

What would he do, were he in his position? He...didn't really know. He didn't see himself as a teacher, especially not with how he was right now. He didn't really know how to punish someone in a way that would still entice them to learn. Scratching the back of his head, Kaito gave an awkward, sheepish look to Hyosuke.

"I...don't know. I figured you would just retaliate like you said you would. If I had to leave violence and retaliation out of the equation, I would try and give pointers to how the student could improve and where they went wrong. But, for me, I...don't want to just get off scot-free. I would want to be held to what the punishment was, no matter how damning."

Hyosuke listened intently as Kaito gave his feedback, his eye staying trained on the younger Shinigami's face intently, searching him for any form of deception or misgivings and while Kaito seemed to be struggling with thinking of his own punishment Hyosuke did not feel the young man was being deceptive. With a single nod Hyosuke would turn, pace back to his position as teacher, and face away from Kaito for a moment in thought before turning back to face the young man. A resolute, decided look on the older Shinigami's face.

"Very well, out of respect for your character and your determination thus far, Kaito-san I will allow you to defend yourself as best as you are able from my reprisal."

Hyosuke paused for a mere moment, letting Kaito decide how he would protect himself, before lifting a finger toward the young Shinigami and unleashing Hadō #1: Sho from his fingertip. Hyosuke was currently suppressed (3-3 Tier) and not using any incantations, which would reduce the power of the spell to 75% but beyond that? Beyond that he would hold nothing but as the ripping surge of kinetic energy launched itself at Kaito. The air flaring around the relatively minor expulsion of spiritual power as it lanced through the air at high speed. A small, expectant smile forming on Hyosuke's lips as he crossed his arms after firing the simple Kido that possessed enough uninterrupted power to throw Kaito across the room if he did nothing to defend himself.

'Now let's see how you handle something less direct than a blade, Kaito Tomoyuki....'

Hyosuke would think to himself idly, almost eager to see how the young man handled the situation.

Seeing the resolute expression on Hyosuke's face admittedly made him nervous as to how steep the punishments would be. But, nevertheless, he was going to use them to better himself, to try and learn how to adapt to new situations, especially if it was something that he didn't have an immediate answer for. He was wary of being allowed to defend himself, but, an instinct told him to draw his sword.

A hand rose from Hyosuke's side, and Kaito was quick to get his weapon back out. Just a finger pointed at him? Was he going to use another blood attack? Kido? Did he have something else up prepared for this? All he could really do was ask questions before he felt a blast of concussive force strike him in the chest, knocking him back.

'Kido!'

He tried to adjust himself, but resolved to just burying his sword into the floor to stop himself from flying across the room. He felt his arm tug harshly as the weapon and himself came to a stop, gravity forcing him back down as he kept a hand firmly gripped around the sword's handle. He recognized the brief, unassuming spell. Hadō #1 was simple, but could still prove effective in the hands of a master.

He wasn't sure how he could defend himself against Kido, especially against ones he couldn't see -- but, he quickly pulled his sword back out from the floor and held it in front of him, ready for whatever came next. He wasn't that proficient in Kido, but he ran through his head the spells he had learned, to see if there was anything he could use to protect him.

Hyosuke took in Kaito's resolute, if dissatisfactory, response with the slightest bit of a frown. He hardly considered simply eating the brunt of an opponent's attack to be "defending" himself. It would seem the inclusion of Kido as a component to contend with had put Kaito seriously on the back foot and Hyosuke's eye sharpened intently. His finger staying trained on his student as he took a steadying breathe, his voice calm and instructive as he stated.

"You shall have to the count of three to mount a more effective defense, else things will only get more intense, I expect you to give your earnest all if nothing else. One......"

Energy would begin to pool into Hyosuke, his spiritual pressure flaring to the utmost heights of what his restrained capacity could bring it without letting it wash out to effect the room around him. The pressure, the wavering in the air, betrayed the sudden intensity behind the Ex-Captain's gaze as energy began to crackle and flare at his fingertip. His voice a low, hissing promise of more.... ruthless instruction.

"Two....."

Hyosuke allowed the energy to flow out toward Kaito, to billow over him and exert itself fully, to destabilize him until the very moment before Hyosuke hissed out that final syllable, and it suddenly relented.

"Three."

Contrary to the.... spectacle Hyosuke had put on in flexing his spiritual "muscles" when he released the Byakurai at Kaito it was as restrained as he could make the deadly Kido, with little more energy the minimum required to even conjure it, and the majority of the spiritual energy Hyosuke had dredged up and exerted he simply let lay within him passively. It had all been one rather mischievous show to get into Kaito's head as he tried to prepare. Now, as the bolt of energy arced out of Hyosuke's finger, he couldn't help but wonder if it was successful.

Kaito wasn't sure how he was meant to defend himself from Kido, especially if he was going to continue throwing Sho out. Nobody could see Sho when it was cast, but...maybe he was meaning to use his senses? Reikaku? Tightening his grip around his Asauchi, Kaito stood still for a moment, reaching out with his Reikaku to try and sense the energy being gathered.

If he was going to throw out another Sho, he needed to be ready so he could keep himself rooted. There was much he could do against an instant blast of concussive force, but, if he threw something else out...maybe there was a chance he could block or deflect it. It was worth a shot, at least. So, as he sensed the gathering energy, Kaito kept his footwork loose, able to move at a moment's notice.

As Hyosuke counted, Kaito adjusted his grip, twisting his wrist a little bit. Just as Hyosuke finished, releasing the pent-up spiritual energy, Kaito kept his eyes focused on the finger held up -- and, in moments, a bolt of energy arched from his hand and toward him.

Kaito twisted his arms to move his sword, and in a single movement, tore his sword upward and forced the energy bolt away. The deflection made a brief noise upon contact and was sent flying away, impacting the nearby wall. He didn't know how impressed or disappointed Hyosuke would be, but he was going to defend himself in any way he knew how.