.Tensora For The Scarlet.

[Aoshi]

Heaven: Speed Step
Rank: "C"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The user lunges forward and strikes at the same time.
Special: ---
Drawback: If the user misses it leaves them open for a counter strike.
Description: The user combines Tensora Walking, Heaven Ready Stance, and Heaven Basic Strikes for a single deadly strike. The user raises the sword above their head. User then lunges forward with the right foot while bringing the left food behind and slash quickly. If a stab, user must learn to pull the sword back as soon as the stab makes contact. The user should step back a few paces afterwards to avoid any harsh counterattacks and to remove the sword from the opponent.
Limit: Must learn from a Master of Tensora (天空 Heavenly Sky), Must know Heaven: Basic Strikes.

0.20

"Good one."

Tokido laughed lightly as Aoshi stepped forward, a hand reaching out and grasping his own as he helped him to stand. Their size may have been quite different, but the feral counter from the Uchiha had spoken volumes. The two gave a gentle chuckle before Tokido took his place to the side once more, their Master approaching from Aoshi's south and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Good. We'll move on to the Speed Step. But for this exercise, I'll allow another one of our students to show you the technique. Eru?" she called. Aoshi turned and watched as a scarlet-haired woman stood, donning a simple training attire of lavender and gray. Green eyes met his own as she approached with swift stride, her hourglass frame more than alluring as every male within the room appeared to be watching.

"Now THAT'S a kunoichi.." one of the students muttered.

Aoshi said nothing as the rest of them laughed, Su Feng waving the matter off with a hand. Eru's eyes never let Aoshi's own as she moved into the Ready Stance. It was in this moment that he'd resolved to not allow a distraction to overcome his desire to learn. He'd come too far....there was far too much responsibility involved...far too much at stake to allow anyone to deter his shinobi way. There needed to be no words as he settled into his own Ready Stance, Feng's impressed smile flashing for seconds. "Now, then....the Speed Step is a maneuver that involves high speed lunge and movement toward the enemy. Once you have reached the point of attack, the blade will be drawn simultaneously."

The Uchiha nodded, visualizing the attack as if he were already in its circumstances. Eru's footing was proper, the grip upon her katana more than absolute. Her hair fell down around her shoulders and further, a single band typing it off into a ponytail. Soft, full lips were pursed together as she regarded him. "I'm going to attack from the right hip to the left hip. Think you can keep up with that?" Eru asked. The sincerity of her question was almost enough to surprise him. But with no pride to send a retort back with, Aoshi merely nodded and awaited her movement. Feng provided them room as she maneuvered meters to the east. And without hesitation, without warning -

Eru attacked.

Her movement was swift as she appeared to jettison instantly forward, the fluidity of her blade raising above her head catching the Uchiha in a mild amazement. He could see the base of the sword rise above her head as its elongated prowess would follow. And within a second's time, she had invaded the space between them. She brought the blade downward in a motion that would allow her to swing it in a frenzied way, but it was the control of her sword that threw him off. Masterfully, it diverted its trajectory and moved to the left side of his visage. So swift was the stroke of her blade that it almost needed to be seen through his peripheral, the glint of silver hinting at the fact that she would make full contact with him.

But her blade was brought to stay.

Aoshi's countenance never changed as the blade lingered only inches from having made contact, his curiosity piqued. More-so with the technique than anything, the two of them remained in that suspended animation for moments. They had greeted each other by way of the sword, and now there was simply the time it took to register the mutual respect. Su Feng stepped in as Eru pulled her blade back, sheathing it before giving her mock opponent a nod. "And now, it is your turn to attempt the same on Eru. You have watched it, as have we all. That is the first part of the learning process. Now it's time for you to try." Without faltering, Aoshi nodded. His hand hovered along the Kiba blade. He was ready.

[Aoshi]

- 2nd Post -

Silence reigned over the dojo as Aoshi's slated orbs met with Eru's once again, the neutrality masking the sense of intrigue that had crossed his person when he'd first seen her pick up the blade. It seemed that the Speed Step required much confidence to be executed, fully brought to fruition by the agility and control that one held as they moved in for the strike. Such was evident by the way that the kunoichi hadn't thought twice about maneuvering to attack, but even more-so with Aoshi's statuesque form accepting the full advance from her step. Moments ago, Feng had pointed out the various intricacies of the maneuver. But it came with a risk - if he wasn't to pace backward and draw the blade away, then he would be leaving himself open to counterattack. With this in mind, he prepared himself to mimic what he had just seen.

"Are you ready?" he asked Eru.

The green of her eyes appeared to shift into a more jade color, flickering with a readiness that need not be verbalized. Both of them moved into the Ready Stance, Aoshi's hands finally grasping onto his weapon's pommel before methodically tearing it from the womb of the scabbard. His breathing was calmed - his form relaxed. Feng noted his footing, the ball of his right foot supporting his weight as it should have. In only a day, this novice practitioner of the Tensora sword style looked as though he had been practicing it for quite some time. It was still far too early to call him a mastery of the style, but he was progressing at a rate more steady than what had been achieved before. But her train of thought was interrupted, Aoshi's eyes fluttering to a brief close.

"Always ready, kitten." The name was unfamiliar to him, his eyebrow raising in question as Eru gave him a mischievous grin. He knew not what the name was for, but he wouldn't bother with the argument. There was only the bottom of his sword being gripped by his left hand, the right's fingers securing the bulk of it and seizing control. Aoshi stepped forward upon his right foot in a quick advance. Even faster was the raise of the blade above his head. He appeared to be a phantasm as his bore down upon Eru. And with precision, he calculated that he would be swinging the sword from her right shoulder to the left. The winds coated the perimeter of his form as the kissaki glinted across the distance between them.

And before long, he'd meet the point of contact - head on, and with little falter behind the practice maneuver. Feng's eyes followed the entirety of his motion. The tension that was released through his biceps; the adrenaline that was perceived to be pouring through every inch of his veins; the restraint that it took to control the blade so that it could perform a perfectly parallel stroke to the front of Eru's person. Those who surrounded the two appeared to let out gasps of surprise as wind spiraled outward from beneath Aoshi's person. So smooth was the ebb and flow of his blade that even Eru wouldn't register it until the moment had all but been spent.

"Hmph."

Mother nature's breath was relinquished from its hold as Aoshi's sword found its scabbard once again. The students looked onward, bewilderment lacing their long stares. Eru's eyes fixated on him for moments as he turned away from her, giving Feng an inquisitive look. "Did I execute it correctly?" The woman nodded before closing her eyes. "Better than I'd expected. Let's take a small break." With a gentle nod, the students filed out and into their respective corridors as Eru ambled past him. "Well done, kitten." Aoshi's eyes darted to her as she moved without looking back, her form vanishing into a small crowd of students. The technique had left him just a bit winded, and thus he'd sit indian style upon the floor and lay his sword across his lap. There was much more to this style than he'd anticipated. He could only hope that his body could keep up with the exercise.

[Draven]

Learned

[Aoshi]

Heaven: Triple Strafe
Rank: "C"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The user strikes downwards 3 times powerfully against the opponent in a single movement.
Special: ---
Drawback: Tends to leave the opponent wide open if the technique misses.
Description: Though not used by this name, this is perhaps one of the most comment techniques used in formal KenJutsu/Kendo. This technique is used to strike the top of the head, the left side of the head, and then the right side of the head. This technique is different from Dragonfly: Strike as each consecutive attack does not slash through completely. This technique aims in speed that Dragonfly: Strike lacks. Each attack usually slashes around midway before the user will be able to raise it back to the Heaven Dragonfly: Stance to execute the next attack.
Limit: Must learn from a Master of Tensora (天空 Heavenly Sky), Must know Heaven: Speed Step.

0.20

Now that the others had filed out, Feng maneuvered herself to stand before Aoshi. "We'll continue alone. You look tired.." she admitted. The Uchiha gave her an almost incredulous look. "How can you tell?" he asked. He seemed normal enough, his breathing calmed as his chest gave a steady rise and fall. Su Feng merely reached forward and took him by the shoulder gently, coaxing him to stand and face her. "I know my students. We have to consistently train. If you don't, you won't be conditioned. Eru saw potential in you. She usually just decimates her opponents and walks away." The knowledge of such a thing caused Aoshi to chuckle nervously. "And why'd she call me kitten?" he inquired. Such a thing, Feng's inquisitive look answered.

"Come. I will show you the Triple Strafe of the Heaven Style."

The doors were closed as the other students could be heard moving outside, leaving Master and student within the confines of the dojo. Feng settled back into the Ready Stance, the daisho set at her left side clanking lightly as her left hand smoothed over the various blades located there. A simple training dummy stuck out of the wall before them. Composed of wood and other hard material, it was the practical approach to allow the full stroke of the blade without risk of harm. "This particular move is going to focus along the cranium, Lord Hokage. Tao Ji might have been a man who knew many styles, but he also knew where to strike and with what power. The ability to stun or kill an opponent is vital. Watch carefully." As she said this, Aoshi turned his form fully to view the small distance between herself and the training dummy.

Without fail, Su Feng lunged forward and combined the various concepts. There was the balance of the Ready Stance. There was the agility of the Speed Step. There was the strength of the counter, though obviously it wasn't to be applied with no opponent attacking here. Her lunge forward was almost instantaneous. And when she had met the point of contact, her blade would first strike the very top of the head. "Shaa!" she exclaimed, the audible force of her blow ringing out as the sword struck its top with heavy impact. But no sooner than when it appeared that her sword would be lodged into the training dummy, she wrenched it backward and began her next phase of attack. It was as if the mass of the dummy was irrelevant - her fingers coiled once more around the sword, immediately prepped for an additional chance at hitting her mark.

"The right side now!"

Her blade was adjusted in its angle, though Aoshi's eyes were struggling to keep up with her. She left no part of her attack open for counterattack, instead maximizing her kinetic energy and keeping it at a steady medium. The young Uchiha hadn't seen such skill before, not even with his own instrument. Feng's right hand bore down upon the weapon as the left coveted the lower portion of the pommel. Successfully, her second strike landed right where she had explained to him that it would. Near the temple, the kissaki of the sword was wrenched away and placed back above her head. "And then the left!" she exclaimed. It was the only area that had been untouched by her sword. She gripped the sword and began to motion toward the left, her body swaying only slightly to adjust her balance.

Aoshi's eyes slowly fell toward her feet, watching the soles of them never leave the edifice upon which they stood. Feng's tresses whipped about as she made her final stand against the left side of the training dummy. As if the first and second had not been deadly enough, a third rained down upon the left side of the crown and implanted the blade's sharp end along where the temple would be. The critical damage done would surely have felled mortals. But as this was merely a training exercise, their opposition stood lifelessly and rattled with the force of her movements. Feng immediately retreated after the three successful strikes were achieved, sheathing the sword yet again and allowing her eyes to fall onto an impressed Aoshi.

"You have seen it in action. Now replicate."

[Aoshi]

- 2nd Post -

The task had been set before him.

Aoshi had watched her in all of her speed and strength, calculating the effort that she'd taken when moving in for the strike. With Feng stepping away and allowing the sheathe of her blade, she folded her arms over her chest and watched carefully as he prepared. "I understand that the techniques are getting tougher. They'll only become more grueling from here," she noted. Such knowledge had already settled into Aoshi's mind, however. He'd watched her skillful hands, his own no comparison to the amount of instinct that she held. "I understand, Master. How long did it take you to master this style?" he inquired. As he spoke, his right foot lifted from the floor and moved backward a degree. Halved at the knee, his sandal made contact with the floor silently.

The left foot would push forward, his stance upright and completely prone to stillness. His left hand's fingers settled in a circle around the throat of the scabbard. The thumb was the only digit that stuck out, the pad of it lightly caressing the edge of the scabbard's end so as to draw memory as to what degree he would sheathe the blade afterward. Raven locks were pushed from his visage as he shook his head in preparation - his eyes never strayed from the imaginary opponent that stood before him. "It has taken me many years. So much so...that I have lost count. The story of Su Mao and Tao Ji continues with them both backing away from the battle. They had a mutual agreement in which they simply wanted to test their skill one to the other. And in that regard, they would separate that day as enemies.." she returned. Aoshi gave a simple nod.

He realized that she would not continue until he was successful in his training. Aoshi's right hand lifted from its eastern flank's drape and began to let his fingers become acquainted with the Kiba blade yet again. Slated orbs judged the distance between himself and the target at hand. In one full breath, his lungs expanded to take in as much air as he could. With every exhale's expulsion, so would there be a moment in which he could find the clarity required to execute the Taijutsu maneuver to the proper degree. "Can you visualize it..?" Feng asked. The Uchiha nodded. His tongue slid forward to lick his lips softly as his body had prepared itself. Now there was simply the will to step into the attack.

And that is exactly what he would do.

Aoshi stepped forward, his speed increasing to a degree that not even he had anticipated. The strain in his legs was all but gone as his exhaustion was replaced with the thrill of exhilaration. The Kiba blade was wrenched from its position flawlessly - a demonic scream of metal pierced the heavens as a burst of wind tore out from beneath him as hit once had. In one fell swoop, the predator had now positioned his sword above his head. Instinctively, the grip upon the blade tightened as he threatened to overwhelm the imaginary adversary. Without pause, the first strike was attained with relative ease. The end of the sword dug deep into the top of the training dummy's head. Wrenching away after it had seemingly embedded itself, Aoshi continued thrice the weapon slashes.

The left slash came next, the sword screaming downward in a diagonal fashion as he kept his footing along the edifice absolute. His arms tensed as he controlled the blade's trajectory with relative ease. With a sickening thwack! to the new location in which he'd make his blade a new home, he immediately slashed away from that position and began to execute to the right. Feng followed every muscle's twitch with her skilled eyes. She noted the knuckles upon his hands mottling white as he brought the blade down a third time. And with such a strike, he proceeded to back away with a final slash that dislodged the Shiroi Kiba sword in its entirety. Aoshi made distance betwixt himself and the training dummy then, standing to full height.

His sword was already sheathed in the motion it had taken him to do so.

[Draven]

Learned

[Aoshi]

Heaven: Quadruple Strafe
Rank: "C"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The user strikes down powerfully 4 times in 2 movements.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The user will strike down hard against the opponent's left shoulder, and then strike down hard against the opponent's right shoulder. The user will then strike downwards diagonally onto the opponent's kidneys. First to the left side, and then to the right side. Every 2 strikes will take up 1 movement making this technique a 2 movement attack.
Limit: Must learn from a Master of Tensora (天空 Heavenly Sky), Must know Heaven: Triple Strafe.

0.20

Aoshi stood alone in the training room, the entire dojo quiet save for his own practices.

Su Feng had granted him the knowledge of the Quadruple Strafe technique, the next series in the Tensora style that would birth him the knowledge of the ancient Tao Ji and all of his infinite wisdom. The Uchiha stood among the practice dummies in perfect stillness, replaying the perfect example that she had set at least three times before she had left for the day. Slated orbs caught sight of the floor, every digit wrapped around the handle of the heirloom blade that had been given to him during his younger days. It had served him well, and now he intended to bring it to his beck and call once again. If he could grasp this concept, then his speed would increase all the more.

"Kazu...I don't know where you are....but I hope that somehow, you're watching." The thought played over and over as he lifted his right foot, the soft rustle of his attire the only permeable sound that penetrated the otherwise deafening silence. Slowly, it pushed backward as he began to shift the entirety of his weight upon it. As the ball of his right foot made contact with the floor, so would his lips part so that oxygen might fill his lungs. It was a slow and drawn out breath, his chest rising and falling in preparation for the maneuver that he was about to perform. His head lowered to a small degree, the raven locks around his crown disturbed only slightly as he released that same breath. It was the adrenaline that coursed through his veins and granted him complete concentration. The left foot bent and halved at the knee as he pushed it forward.

His lips parted once more so that he might release his breath, the oxygen that had been contained now morphing into carbon dioxide as it left him. Eyes fluttered to a close as his right hand once more hovered along the handle of the sword, enticing its use by squeezing only slightly. The left hand maneuvered to join its twin, hovering somewhere between at least two inches away from the bottom of the sword. As if he was entrusting himself its full use, every finger coiled around this instrument of pending destruction. Finally, as his poise reached its maximum capability, his eyes darted forward to meet the object in which he would be striking. This technique required finesse, speed, and complete dedication to the mastery of Tensora. Truly, he was about to display "Heaven" in all its grandeur.

The doors to the room parted as the young prodigy began his exercise. Blonde hair cascaded around her shoulders and veiled her face as she watched him, the emerald green of her eyes flickering with wonder. She had been watching him for at least five minutes now, watching him for reasons that she couldn't even begun to have explained. Furrowed eyebrows watched as he attempted the Quadruple Strafe technique. And as he had been known to do, Uchiha Aoshi would surprise her with the potential that lay behind such a dormant and docile ability. The Hokage of the Leaf was far less corporeal as he maneuvered forward. With haste, he sped forward with his blade at the ready with every pace that he took toward the training dummy.

She was finding it hard to keep up. Every footstep was followed almost immediately by another. Every muscle showed no strain as his hamstrings pumped his life's blood through them to edge him forward. The world slowed to a crawl, every color and shape declining in definition before being naught but a blur. The sword was raised, ready to viciously and brutally tear asunder the target. Within moments, upon his hand's command, the razor edge struck down upon the left shoulder. Just as quickly as it had come, it was released yet again. The right shoulder would follow, as viciously torn at as the area before. Then the left kidney. And finally, the right. The grand display ended as he stepped away from it, taking paces before sheathing the blade again.

....Glorious.

[Deleted]

+10; 10|20.

[Aoshi]

10.20

His strikes had reached their mark without hesitation, a sign that he was growing more comfortable with the blade. Aoshi's eyes slowly came to a close as he stood upright, the tension in his form slowly ebbing away as he thought of his youth. If only he'd been this strong to protect the Uchiha Clan....maybe the tragedy that had befallen his generation wouldn't have happened. It was like a palpable guilt that took hold of him. At first, it was nothing more than a subtle whisper, the request that he move back into the Heaven's Ready Stance to try to atone yet again for sins that he hadn't committed. Somewhere within his gullet, however....it was beginning to feel as though his transgressions had simply been invisible until now. They had felled many....but his kin had suffered, as well.

Now was the time for retribution.

The young Uchiha once more moved into position. The Kiba blade was pulled from its scabbard like a reaper's scythe ready to judge, a slow and methodical unsheathing that was followed by a sigh of energy's release. Eru's eyes never strayed, multiple questions pervading her sense of just who she had stared into the eyes of earlier. He embodied potential, a young frame that stood out among the wolves as the Alpha. And with sword in hand, he was more than capable of climbing the ranks of those who had joined the school. "Not even Kazuya..." she began. But the thought never finished as Su Feng was suddenly standing alongside her. "He is quite the ambitious one," she said. Eru's surprise was stifled as Feng caught her stumbling form. "Watch.." she murmured, the two of them allowing their eyes to fall onto Aoshi once again.

A thin coat of sweat caused his musculature to glisten against the light as he practiced the maneuver yet again. There was something therapeutic about the very strikes that he was delivering. Settling into the stance and this time resuming the technique with renewed vigor, he would talk himself through the motions. "Breathe. Visualize. Concentrate.." he whispered to himself. Those same onyx orbs were the ones that greeted people with neutrality. But now, Su Feng knew, they were the eyes of a force simply waiting to be called to the surface to disturb waters untouched before. Aoshi stepped forward upon his right foot, but thereafter he wouldn't take another. The sword was slowly raised above his head, his forearms side by side and separated by inches. There was nothing betwixt him and his target but space and opportunity.

The Hokage brought his sword down with a swift downward strike, The sheer force of it was enough to cause the blade to become a blur to the untrained eye, furrowed eyebrows signifying the intent to kill as the sword struck the left shoulder of the training dummy. So accurate was the blow that it did not create a second even an inch from where he had first hit it. The recoil was felt through his hands, and yet he'd stilled the blade to remain there. "....This is the first point of attack, but it is not the last. There has to be three additional strikes. No mercy, Aoshi.." he muttered. The sword was slowly lifted toward the air as he moved only a fraction of his form toward the next area to be struck - the right shoulder.

"Spread the strikes evenly.." he muttered to himself. Even as the blade came downward to make its new home the right shoulder of the training dummy, he held his composure. Su Feng sensed no malice in his actions as breath escaped him. Such power yielded a force that caused slight bursts of winds to escape from underneath him, traveling along the floor and even outside of the door so that Eru and their Master might feel the gust against their manes. "Master Feng....I called him kitten because of this. He looks as though he's ready to pounce. At any time.." Eru admitted. Feng nodded, having known this all along. She had seen those same onyx oceans before, but never to the intensity that Uchiha Aoshi held them. It was going to be a spectacle teaching him more.

[Draven]

Learned

[Aoshi]

Heaven: Triple Strafe (Leap)
Rank: "C"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The user strikes 3 times powerfully downward, with the first 2 strikes meant to be blocked.
Special: ---
Drawback: If the first 2 strikes are blocked the technique isn't as powerful.
Description: The user will leap up from the right foot and slash downwards (this strike should be blocked). The user will then aim at the opponent's wrist which is meant to be blocked as well. Immediately afterwards the user will then strike at the opponent's head for a final blow. This technique normally takes multiple movements since the opponent must block the first 2 strikes.
Limit: Must learn from a Master of Tensora (天空 Heavenly Sky), Must know Heaven: Triple Strafe.

0.20

"Shinomori-san! Spar with me!"

Tokido entered the courtyard through the back door of Su Feng's establishment, the morning sun beaming down on them as the sound of running water originated from nearby. A rather large square stage sat in the middle of a circular field of granite, small benches awaiting those who desired to attend festivities. The clouds above moved slowly as the students prepared themselves for further grueling exercises by Su Feng's order. But as she had shown them a new technique, Tokido's zeal would not be ignored. Aoshi wrapped his bandaging around his left hand, the usual ritual of his teeth tugging at the last of it finalizing his preparation. His eyes shifted to meet Tokido's form out of his peripheral vision. "Sure. Why not?" he returned with an indifferent tone.

Su Feng sat indian style in the center of all of the seats, chattering coming to a slow muffle as her eyes spoke of demanding silence.

"The Triple Strafe Leap technique, huh?" Tokido asked, watching Aoshi mimic the proper procedure. It was a standard technique for those who desired to rain blows onto the opponent. Designed to attack multiple parts of the opponent's defense, its speed was rivaled only by the pace at which a practitioner of the Heaven Style could execute the opponent. Aoshi was no stranger to the death of those who stood before him. As far as he was concerned, its utility was more than enough to edge him onward to master its processes. Fortunately, Tokido was more than willing to bear his offensive prowess. They'd been sparring off and on since the Uchiha had somewhat embarrassed him only days ago. The smirk that etched across his features, bearing a slight malevolence, suggested that this was to be the payback match.

"Well, well. It looks like Kazuya's here.."

It was if time stopped as Aoshi began to turn his head to meet the eyes of a piercing stare, that same onyx reflecting his own. Raven locks were tied back into a ponytail as an older visage met him, furrowed eyebrows signifying his interest. Clearly a taller frame than Aoshi himself, Kazuya's musculature was far above the average. He appeared to be at the peak of human physical condition, watching with statuesque proportion as Aoshi met him without fear. "Kazuya, huh..?" Aoshi murmured. Su Feng couldn't help but feel the tension betwixt them, though Aoshi's eyes were cast back to the matter at hand - Tokido was already advancing.

"Eyes on the prize, Shinomori!" he shouted. From the Ready Stance had he moved, closing the gap betwixt himself and the unprepared Aoshi. His speed was at its maximum as he moved with purpose. Eyes of rage met with Aoshi's slightly surprised stare - but soon after, that same look of surprise was turned into a look of sheer determination. Without a single word, Aoshi's transition from a normal stance into the Ready Stance was astonishing. His right foot planted firmly along the stage as he drew the Kiba blade with the same prowess as he'd done when Feng had taught him the unsheathing principle.

Surely, as Tokido's blade came down at him, the Uchiha would merely step off to his right to avoid the attack in its entirety. A gazelle's grace was granted him as he suddenly appeared behind his oppressor, the right foot exerting enough force to leave him skyward. A slight leap toward Tokido. In practice, the maneuver was orchestrated. If the opponent could block the first two strikes, then surely the third would prove lethal against their supposed defense. The Tensora practitioner would expose the open defense, piercing it with the final blow. Hence, its name. And so would Aoshi descend, his blade at the correct angle to begin an onslaught onto the awaiting Tokido's person.

....Just how would this play out?

[Draven]

+10

[Aoshi]

10.20

It would play out as it should have.

The Triple Strafe - Leap technique was executed without fail, Aoshi's blade bearing down upon Tokido's own as he was forced to raise it in retaliation. How surprising it was, the Uchiha causing the human body to react upon instinct by the onslaught that he was raining down upon his head. He'd used his right foot to propel himself toward Tokido, every inch of the Shiroi Kiba destined to meet with the crown of his head if he hadn't raised his blade to block the oncoming brutality. But those same onyx orbs would not yield as Aoshi's second swing came only a moment later. The sword was pulled away from Tokido's attempt to parry as it moved further along. The target was no longer the blade, no - he had seen the consequences of attacking there.

"Urgh! How the-!!"

But Tokido's words were cut short as a second attack let fly toward his wrist. As with the Leap technique, this was the second place that he'd intended to cut into. The razor edge of the sword created a glint off of it that struck Tokido's eyes for but a moment, his transition a staggering revelation that the Uchiha's blade was about to hit home. Just barely, all noted, was the hulking frame of a practitioner able to maneuver so that his bent arm would come in contact with Aoshi's sword strike. The blades clanged heavily as his wrist was properly avoided in favor of the base of the sword. A deep grunt was pushed from Tokido's person as Aoshi bore down upon it with his weight. And at this point, his feet had touched down onto the stage once again.

But not for long.

With a final thrust of his weapon, Aoshi found himself on the deliverance end of a third strike that was intended for the head. Tokido staggered backward as the blade moved in an arc toward his cranium, lessened in its intent so as not to bring true harm to him. But to no avail - the large frame of his opponent shoved forward and planted a shoulder square into his chest, sending him flying backward and skidding along the mat. "Argh!" Aoshi felt the pressure of many pounds of muscle, stabbing his blade into the mat so that he might pull himself to stand immediately. His left hand clutched his chest as he and Tokido stood yet again, nodding toward one another in respect. "That was a close one, Shinomori-san. I'll have to keep my eye on you.." Tokido stated.

Without words, only a glance, both Aoshi and Tokido moved into their ready stance. Kazuya seemed altogether unimpressed as he watched the spectacle, every moment deciphered and carefully noted as he watched this dance of the blades take place. Aoshi stepped forward upon his left foot to a small degree - a feint that Tokido would easily succumb to. Coaxing the giant of a man to once again begin barreling toward him, Ao's eyes narrowed considerably as he pondered the response. He woukld have to take careful movement. With such a notation at hand, he easily began to dance around Tokido's practiced swings. A horizontal sweep to his thighs caused a screech of metal to emanate forward, the speed of his swings increasing as his rage began to grow.

Still, Aoshi had the upper hand.

His patience was absolute. Su Feng had performed this technique earlier on Eru, even her own practice and poise not enough to evade the Taijutsu in its entirety. Her rain of blows with the end of her sword had ended up with a small strand of Eru's hair giving way, the kissaki of her sword completely still. With this example, the Uchiha would do the same. Aoshi jumped just above the horizontal swing as his right arm moved in a rotation, bringing with it the instrument of victory that would rain down toward his head again. And in that similar fashion, Aoshi achieved the sword strike that he had intended. So ferocious was his blow toward the base of Tokido's blade that it was dislodged from his hand, flipping once before embedding itself deep into the mat below. There would be no need for a third or fourth strike.

"....Holy.." Tokido murmured.

[Draven]

learned

[Aoshi]

Heaven: Dodge Counter
Rank: "C"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The user dodges and quickly counters with a Heaven Speed Step.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The user will an opponent carefully. The moment an opponent attacks the user will quickly pivot to the left, or to the right, normally to the dead side of the opponent and counter with a Heaven Speed Step technique.
Limit: Must learn from a Master of Tensora (天空 Heavenly Sky), Must know Heaven: Speed Step.

0.20

"Excellent!"

The words erupted from Su Feng as a roar of applause was given toward the two combatants, Aoshi only now coming down off of the rush that he'd felt when he'd first struck at Tokido. He reached forward and grasped the male's hand in order to help him stand, giving a respectful nod - at least, before Tokido pulled him into a headlock out of playful gesture. "What were you trying to do!? Trying to get me killed!?" he joked. Aoshi flailed with enthusiasm as he laughed. "No! It's just...I was in the moment.." he trailed off. Tokido released him , Aoshi's hand lifting upward to sheepishly rub the back of his head again - it was quite the spectacle, even Kazuya providing a small golf clap. But though he enjoyed the moment, the Uchiha was ready to learn more.

As if on cue, Eru stepped up onto the mat.

"Hi, kitten." The very word made Aoshi's eyes dart to her, having only caught her out of his peripheral vision before she'd said a word. Su Feng followed suit closely behind the scarlet-haired woman, her own blade loosely gripped within her left hand. "Now, Aoshi...I will show you the Dodge Counter. I've chosen Eru because she seems to be at your speed, and your fearlessness matches one another quite well. This will demonstrate the prowess of two live opponents. No inanimate objects. Just flesh and bone standing before your sword." Both Eru and Aoshi nodded as they stood to the side. The spectacle of watching Su Feng perform was always an honor. Her grace was unparalleled, the ability to move in and out against her adversaries coveted.

Su Feng moved into the Ready Stance, her head beginning to bow lowly as her lips parted in request. "Aoshi. I want you to attack me. Come at me from whatever direction you'd like, please.." she muttered. It was a request that he was hardly used to, but one that he would satisfy nonetheless. He took his time in readying, aiming his blade perfectly along a trajectory in which he could easily strike Su Feng. Of course, he knew better. Time all but slowed as he felt dozens of eyes on him. Students whispered among themselves, some of them fully aware of what was about to transpire while newer attendees were learning or seeing the move for the first time. There was little delay in his actions as he stepped forward..

....But suddenly, he would strafe outside of the range of the attack. Su Feng was far superior to the mundane and the primitive. Attacking directly from the front when she'd asked him to attack from any direction was hardly fulfilling the request. And as such, he would pivot upon his right foot before lunging forward with his blade intending to meet flesh and bone. Su Feng's eyes snapped wide open as she turned her blade, having found his very location within moments of him leaving his prone state to go on the offensive. "The Dodge Counter!" she exclaimed. Before Aoshi's very eyes, Su Feng's form was as liquid's ebb and flow. She had managed to pivot off to the right side, his blade completely missing as it swung through and cut only the air.

As for his Master, she had already gone on the offensive as her pivot motion ended. Aoshi was purely open to her attack as the momentum of his blade carried him. Even having attempted to control it, he hadn't expected her to fully remove herself from where she'd stood and be ready to usher in her own vicious sword strike in that next moment. But much to the chagrin that he had begun to feel, she reached out with her blade and turned it upon its side. The flat of her sword pressed against Aoshi's abdomen, allowing him to balance himself as her form lay outstretched. He had watched, and once again it had been time to show that his keen eyes were for more than just observation. Even her footwork had already begun to play in his mind.

"My turn.." he said with a small eagerness.

[Aoshi]

- 2nd Post -

The grandeur of Su Feng's moves was unmistakable.

Aoshi moved to the middle of the mat once again, Eru following closely behind as she readied her blade. Even through his Ready Stance, the Uchiha felt as though he was becoming stronger. No longer did his legs ache in the process of moving within the Tensora Style. Now he craved it with every advance. And just as he had done before, he visualized all that Feng had shown him. Their Master stood off to the side to watch their posture, noting every minute detail about the two of them. The corner of her lips curled upward into a grin, silently admiring progress. Aoshi licked his lips softly, though he would not move just yet. "Why do you call me kitten?" he asked. Eru giggled softly, her left hand sliding toward the pommel of her sword's handle. "If you can perform this technique properly, then I'll tell you."

The challenge had been set. Far be it from Aoshi to leave a woman unimpressed. Eru's beauty had dawned on him from the moment he'd saw her. And though old habits died hard, he couldn't help but to respond to her words. "There's much more than just this technique that I can perform properly. You should watch me sometime," he replied. The sudden exchange forced a shake of Eru's head. "Arrogant, aren't you?" she inquired. That rare God Complex showed once more as the Uchiha shrugged his shoulders, slated orbs warning her of pending attack. Even as his mouth moved, his mind was in a completely different place. "Everyone's gotta have a little arrogance. Better to be lively than to be dead." Eru nodded lightly. "Well, then.....since you believe you've got what it takes, I think you should join me for some fun later tonight."

As Eru spoke, Aoshi would already begin the momentum that was required to separate the distance between them. His left foot pushed forward, and yet it seemed as though he had vanished into every direction possible all at once. Eru's eyes narrowed as she struggled to keep up with the sudden burst of speed that he'd displayed. He was even faster than before. Even during the night when she and Feng had seen his movements, he was altogether blinding at this point. Where had this speed come from? She'd barely had time to register that he was approaching, instinct completely taking over as she narrowed her eyes and prepared to strike him before he could do the same toward her.

Feng's eyes noted the momentum in Aoshi's form, the surprise of his technique causing her to smile uncontrollably. Not only had he seized the opportunity to throw Eru off balance, but he'd done so in a manner that would surely cause her to attack him first - exactly what he wanted in this situation. So would it be as Eru's right hand gripped the blade, swinging it from left to right in such an arc that it would be intended to cleave him in twain. But as powerful the blow, it would have no home. Aoshi had already begun his pivot. Planting his weight onto his foot and completing the motion, he was as a blur of human proportion.

And already, he was moving in for the kill.

"How did he!?" Tokido exclaimed. Kazuya's eyes narrowed in angry confusion, but the maneuver wasn't over yet. Much to the surprise of the entire dojo, Aoshi had completely moved away from where Eru had been standing. No sooner than when bated breath could be released, Kazuya was now staring down every long and razor inch of Aoshi's Shiroi Kiba blade. Aoshi had suddenly materialized before him, both hands gripping the handle of his blade as the grin upon his features prevailed. So close was the tip of the sword to Kazuya's neck that if he'd gulped, he'd have impaled himself. Su Feng stood to her feet, at a loss for words to even berate the young Hokage for his actions.

The recipient of the message was clear.

".....Sounds like fun," Aoshi said, slowly standing to full height and sheathing the blade. Kazuya....had been matched.

[Holy Grail]

20+

[Aoshi]

Heaven: Block/Attack Counter
Rank: "C"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The user blocks and attacks with a counterattack quickly and efficiently.
Special: ---
Drawback: Technique will not work if the opponent overpowers the user, or if the first initial block does not work.
Description: The user performs Heaven Blocking Technique (Point Up/Point Down), and then counters with either a Heaven Basic Strikes, or a Heaven Speed Step after pivoting to the opponent's dead side. This technique is considered as a counter so it could be more deadly than normal.
Limit: Must learn from a Master of Tensora (天空 Heavenly Sky), Must know Heaven: Speed Step.

0.20

"I call you kitten because you always look like you're ready to pounce."

Eru giggled as Aoshi brought a hand up to his face, dragging it all the way down to his chin before shaking his head. "And here I thought we had something special," he joked. The scarlet-haired woman nudged him in the side. "One day at a time, Aoshi. You're coming along with the sword quite nicely. It's too bad you're holding back.." she trailed off. Mid-blink, Aoshi's eyes opened once more to regard her with curiosity. But she wouldn't give him the chance to ask any more questions. A slip of paper was rushed into his hand before she strode forward, not even bothering to look back. The parchment, in all its crinkled and secretive detail, was opened to reveal an address. He'd made note of it. But before he could satisfy his inquiry, there was much to be learned before Su Feng retired for the night.

-- And thus, the night would slowly approach under the exchange of blades.

A fresh set of clothes mixed with a shower and good food were all that the Uchiha needed before he'd set out toward the location that Eru had given him. The night appeared to be darker than the norm, even his own observant gaze not able to pick up every detail. But what he was able to pick up - as his right hand slid toward his katana, was that he was not alone along the path that was set to take him to the gathering. The sharp clang of weapons broke out through the air as he'd immediately put one of Su Feng's techniques to use - the block and attack counter within the art of Tensora. An unknown adversary had presented itself as he moved and strafed, making out a figure swathed in shadow no more than fifty meters from the dojo.

"Who are you!?" Aoshi exclaimed.

But he wouldn't receive an answer. He'd ignored the counterattack motion that had come with the art, afraid of mortally wounding he who may have been mistaken. But there was something in the way that they attacked. The sword possessed murderous intent, the full intent to kill laced in every cross of metal. The Uchiha had picked up on this when he'd sparred with Su Feng many times before. She was absolute in her teachings. To have died beneath her sword, though a grim satisfaction, would be a victory all in itself. Aoshi couldn't worry about protecting a life. There was only saving his own in whatever way he could gather. And so to do so, he'd involve the use of this particular maneuver.

"Sharingan!"

The single word was followed by the expulsion of crimson that now stared out and at the darkness and the opponent that it shielded. Those same three black tomoe appeared so that he might be able to survey his surroundings a little better. Though it was dark, he would use his Kekkei Genkai to his own advantage. The block and attack counter was simple enough to implore, but it was the practicality against a plethora of opponents that would make all the difference. Aoshi moved into the Ready Stance as his opponent backed away from him, a brief kata shown as they prepared to attack. But it was odd - they somewhat resembled the Ready Stance, themselves. The ball of the right foot touched the edifice upon which they stood, their hands grasping at the pommel.

"It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that you're nothing but a memory and a suicide case by the time I'm finished. There can only be one." The words were cryptic at best. Before Aoshi could even properly defend himself, he bore witness to the assailant rushing after him. The first of many strikes was aimed for his shoulder, an easy dodge as he stepped off and to the side. But in that moment that he'd managed to dodge, the Sharingan would open up a new avenue. He was able to see the gaping holes in his oppressor's offense, slated orbs now delivering quite the accusatory stare - he had all the time in the world to end the life of they who dared challenge him. But for now, he would ask questions first before slaying one of Su Feng's own.

"I spared you. Next time, I can't say I'll be so forgetful.

[Aoshi]

- 2nd Post -

It was the first time that he had been in true combat with the knowledge of a sword style beneath his belt. Aoshi moved with purpose as he slowly began to circle the opponent, unable to get a good look at them as the moon shone brightly down onto this makeshift battlefield. No answers would come as his masked attacker once more advanced. And in the wake of such folly, the Uchiha would take the full opportunity to disable them and end their days as a Tensora Practitioner. It was shameful to watch such bold tactics. Su Feng had dedicated much of her time into telling Aoshi of the style and its origin. Now, it seemed, that the knowledge that she held was going to be used against him.

The attack struck toward his cranium and shoulders, but to no avail. The Sharingan was simply too powerful, fueled by the chakra that now poured through his optics and gave him predictive capability. For every stroke of the blade, his own had already beat him there to parry the blade's edge entirely. He spun upon his left or right foot, respectively the flat of the blade just catching his form. Simply put, Aoshi was far too fast. His left hand wrapped around the throat of the scabbard as he endured the constant offense. But as with all things, it would have to come to an end.

The attacker pushed forward again, the ferocity in their blade mistaken....and yet honorable. Aoshi would stand in his place, his feet spread apart as he narrowed his eyes. "Since you won't tell me, I guess I'll just have to beat it out of you." As dark as his words were, the true foreshadowing had been set. The masked figure lifted the blade toward the sky before suddenly swooping down upon Aoshi. Before the blade could get close, however, the Uchiha was already aware of how to expose the gaping holes in his defenses. Both hands wrapped around the blade as he pushed upward.

A block.

The Uchiha stepped away as he parried his attacker to the side. Once again, there was the perfect opportunity to cut through flesh. Last time, he had spared Eru and given her the chance to continue fighting to full capacity. But since this masked "avenger" of sorts desired death so heavily, then Aoshi would no doubt quench the thirst of punishment. He stepped in toward the opponent, drawing e'er closer as his fingers clasped onto the blade. The sickening sound of sword cutting into flesh would erupt throughout the darkened valley. In the distance, the hair of a scarlet kunoichi could be seen bouncing wildly as she ran with full speed toward him.

The Uchiha pivoted once more, tearing the blade from the opponent's side with little more than a completed look. The straggler fell over and into the grass below, the artificial orifice now beginning to ignite as his life's essence began to leak from him. Aoshi turned to face he who had raised their sword against a Tensora. And to his surprise, it was something that they had already known. A hood was pulled back to reveal one of Tokido's "right hand" men, the pain in his eyes speaking all that Aoshi needed to know. The damage had been dealt with such a blade wound that

"Y...you...you're the one.."

Where had he heard that one before...?

[Holy Grail]

20+