Hijikata versus Antipathy

..::The grotesque visions of reality plastered themselves about the cranial walls. Few and far between were these momentary lapses from reality, but as they happened, he became intoxicated.. Intune with his element once more. This adversary had arisen a long-past thirst. Competition. "...Sotto Voce.." Gaiety and jubilence slipped through the fractious holds of his mind. Fragments that eluded him constantly.. Only to be found in the heat of the battle.. Resplendent strands awoke with a start, a subtle hues danced across them. Light peeking through miniscule cracks in the dojo's roofing.. Obsidian locks were pulled, for the mostpart, back to meet a wooden Kanzashi, sitting heftily upon the ball of his ponytail.. Pallid digits busied themselves with the obi-ita and it's inner-workings.. The tendrilsp layed over chilled metal beset just beneath the obi, slightly peeking forth above the fabric. Alabaster tabi wrapped his feet, which holstered themselves evenly above a pair of zori sandals.. They scratched slightly at the floor of the dojo, as each sinew and fibre within his legs tensed, with what was soon to pass.. Archaic notes spiralled within his dome, spiralling itself into a stentorian crescendo, resounding through his bery demeanor. Beleagured lungs solemnly took in a breath, the chest rising beneath the azure nagajuban. Light fluttered over the oceanic irsises for a moment, as this lapse was cast into the abyss.. A sigh, a heinous sigh, gave release from the dull routine of monotony which he'd undertaken.. It was this way before each meeting. His rose aperture parted slightly, as that carnal beat began to weave itself into his being. The right palm flattened against his waist, and pressed against a reassuring lump of steel..

Pressing the palm of his hand flat against one of the shoji that lead to one of the compound's inner courtyards, Hijikata's eyes squinted as he became accustomed to the sunlight, having remained in his own room for the majority of the day. The balls of his bare feet began to grow warm as they fell upon wood that had been soaking sun through out the morning. The welcome aroma of fish being fried made its way through the kitchens, over the tiered walls that separated the occupants' quarters from that of the training hall, kitchens and other room which were meant to facilitate daily life. The saya of his Hakko bounced jovially against Hijikata's left hip, dancing upon its indigo sageo which complemented the livid tincture of both his hakama and yukata. Having decided to remove the koshiita from within his hakama, Hijikata felt that he should be comfortable today, finding no need for the thick board that would press against the small of his back. Adjusting the sageo so that his sword hung lower upon his left side, the very tip of his saya slipped between the matadachi, where the cloth split at the side of his hakama, something most practitioners of kenjutsu were not apt to do. His towering frame now passed out from beneath the shade of the hallway's roof above him, his pallid complexion coming into the light for a moment or two before seeking refuge beneath the boughs of the cherry blossom tree which grew in the center of the minuscule courtyard; its limbs oscillating as if the tree were caught in a dance with the wind, his lengthy plait of ebon tresses mimicking their movement. Hijikata slid the thumb of his right hand into the obi that was wrapped about his waist, contemplating what course of action to take against such a pensive opponent.

..:::The beautiful notes from the bowels of a small songstress pierced his concentration for a moment. Lethal. It was this very whimsical nature which lead to this being to being so.. Lethal. His countenance rose, chin rising slowly, as his irises adjusted to the sudden expanse of lighting.. A ddeep breath was taken in, as he basked his face in the warmth from the sun for a few moments.. The fragrant aromas of fish oils and rose petals tickled the hairs within his nostrils. In this embrace, he was trapped for it seemd an eternity. His slender, yet strenuously trained frame, the victim of something as subtle as a few wind nymphs cajolling just above his lips. A moment passed, before he'd snapped back into reality. Another of these lapses, placing him at the obedience of mother earth. His tendrils clasped about the lump of steel at his right side. "..in Crescendo.." Decrepit lungs drew forth a rush of air, as the obi was loosened by a flexing of his thumb and index fingers, and the Hakujinnotachi being released into the vicinity.. It whipped unto the floor about them, sinewing about one of the base pillars which held up the training quarters. It embraced it witha languid, serpentine grace. An opulent symphony began to arise within himself once more, as the right wrist would give a sudden flick, the sudden motion traveling along the length of the whip-like weaponry, and leading it to slash through the first pillar, near Hijikata. It was released from this, and pounced upon the floor just afront the adversary's breadth. More of a feigning display than an attack, the elongated kissaki would travel quickly for the base of his posture, yet more than likely, would come to leave a cadaverous imprint upon the dojo floor, in this quick meeting.

The tip of what was known as Hijikata's "forked tongue" due to his adroitness with words slipped past his gossamer-like lips, the features of his face more effeminate than that of his adversary. Although he may have had the epicene mien of a scholar or one of a man who favored those of his same sex, it was well-known that all of this was a ruse. Hijikata relished in the guise of something which he was not, granting him the escape most wanted of their true selves. But, the time had arisen for him to revert to his true nature, which contrasted sharply the demeanor he coveted outside of battle. As Antipathy had undone the obi about his waist, revealing the nature of his weapon to Hijikata, he was immediately struck with the absurdity of the Hakujinnotachi, although he was wise enough not to patronize his foe for his choice. Antipathy must have been confident in both his weapon and his skill in using it if he wished to face Hijikata with it. He scrutinized the undulating motion of the blade, reminiscent to that of the waves crashing upon cragged rocks. His gaze immediately traveled to the weapon's tip as he peripherally watched the movement of Anitpathy's wrist, the taper-esque fingers of his right hand sliding across his abdomen and clutching the saya directly beneath the tsuba. As the Hakujinnotachi's blade penetrated the breadth of the pillar and wound its way towards Hijikata, he turned his left shoulder towards the oncoming attack, undoing the clasp of his sageo with the greatest of ease. Coupled with his shifting position, Hijikata's left knee began to bend, his body descenting rapidly with the speed of the attack so that at the very instant the kissaki was poised to strike at his own lower body, Hijikata was not only prepared but met the sword's tip with the kojiri of his sheath, slamming it an inch beneath the kissaki as if he had grabbed a serpent at its weakest point, behind its head.

..:::A fight to regain concentration was being waged, as once more and again, his fractured psyche would lead to a moment vulnerability. A short rift in sanity, dissipating after a moment, leading him to regain his composure quite quickly. Sound swam through the sorroundings, whispering into every drum, in her naive likeness. As the massive length of the blade moved, rippling the air betwixt the two of them, Antipathy's hadajuban billowed in the disturbance. The distinct ring resonated; The chilling 'hymn' which struck chords of fear into the hearts of many. The ring of the blade meeting with something. The weapon seemed intune with it's master's demeanor. Both their natures being dependent on occurences of finite proportions. The strands now whipped violently around his face, masking his stoic countenance no more. Ovals set aflame with desire. Red passion burning within them, illuminating every motion the adversary meant to make. Infinite outcomes relayed themselves about his thoughts, as the extension of himself, the silvery empannage, ravaged the sorroundings.. The serpent's motions had stopped, to his surprise, though not to his disappointment. Of course this had been tried before, and who was this adversary to try it again.. It would a true fool to wield the Hakujinnotachi in such tight quarters, without being experienced with it. Upon this newfound weight upon his slithering companion, the right hand would slide across Antipathy's chest immediately, wrapping itself about the tsuka, and pressing oppositely in another, greater tug of force, than a slight flick of the wrist. Twisting his hips slightly with this, he'd send a wave of momentum down the broad of his weapon, to lift the saya no more than an inch from it's leverage upon the earth; Being an adequate swordsman with this, a mere inch was all that was needed. Shifting his weight, and pulling backwards with every fiber in his torso, as the saya would lift, he'd reverse his snare upon the blade, ripping it backwards, letting the kissaki follow suit and flare towards the inner portion of Hijikata's bent leg; A sanguine notion to meet the vulnerable, soft flesh in this area.:::..

Pressing his tongue against the upper pallate of his mouth, Hijikata grinned slightly as he watched the sudden changes in the man's countenance, using his expertise in physiognomy in order to better understand what exactly was happening to the man. Although it was a rudimentary talent, it was not known by many and could assist a skilled fighter in any scenario. The shift from placidity to rage was advantageous to Hijikata, although it would cause an exponential increase in strength and determination on his opponent's behalf. Due to the nature of his sword, Hakko, Hijikata was able to feel the vibration caused by his movement to stop the oncoming attack, the length of his blade resonating slightly within its sheath. The sound rang in his ears, bringing some emotion to the surface; emotion tied to memory. The compulsive need to strengthen his grip upon the tsuka went underway while he studied Antipathy's movements, watching him reach across his chest in order to free his blade from its current location. Hijikata's gaze traveled down the Hakujinnotachi's hilt, along its full length as it surged upwards, lessening the weight of his saya's kojiri atop the kissaki. The immediacy in which Hijikata both realized what his opponent was prepared to do as well as what he himself should do was astonishing. As the blunt tip of his sheath rose skywards, Hijikata leaned forth, pressing the palm of his left hand onto the ground so that as the blade cleared the gap between the saya and the earth, he was able to perform a roll, using his shoulder as the medium in which his body would pass over the serpentine strike, coming to a halt in the same position he was previously in, left knee on the ground, his right foot meant to push himself forth although he performed no such movement. He simply kneeled, the very fringes of his form vibrating slightly.

..:::"..Marcato.." Most amiable was this so far, and within the constructs of his mind, would this battle be played countless times. Gothic archways reminisced a hefty and stable structure, in which his lapses faded away, and the utmost concentration was placed upon the task at hand. The Hakujinnotachi's graceful, majestic motions presented a refuge to all doubts within his mind. Manifestations of vigor and lust ran smooth along the length of the blade; A symphony being etched into stone with each motion, as maestro and orchestra acted as one. More than a mere weapon, this was an extension of himself, as he'd learn to use it with the utmost precision and to keep unneccessary risks to a minimum. A tightly wound ball of rhythm began to pulse within his chest, pressing the essence of life to each extremity; Warming his delicate skin layers with fervent dtermination. The thin nature of his own blade allowed him feel out any weight being placed upon, or being lifted away from it. With a suddenness, the weight was gone, and there the kissaki whipped at nothing. Surprising, such nimble movements and well thought notions, in such a short expanse of time. However impressive as it was, none had ever committed such a ..Transgression.. To place themselves in harm's way for the moment, and to ultimately leave the blade freed. Immediately, as he'd felt his attack hit nothing, he'd twirled his wrist's end over end, to let his left rest in the dominant position now, twirling the blade as a ribbon upon a delicate thermal. The end of his weaponry coiled about itself, inverting into the form of a '6' at it's end. Now it's side turned upon themselves, leaving it's delicate uppoer portions in a more formidable defensive situation, careful not to leave any way for weight to b e placed upon the blade again in sucha manner to render ot useless for a short period of time. As the blade would complete it's semi-revolution in towards itself, a heavy pull to his right side, would bring the blade into a striking position for the shoulder of Hijikata, poised from a position as a striking viper would be. "..Hakujinnotachi in Rivielo.." :::..

It would seem that Antipathy's mastery of the Hakujinnotachi was both commendable and beautiful. The way he manipulated the malleable form of metal would have been considered awe-inspiring if it were not meant as a weapon of destruction. The ability to transform what would have normally be thought of as a lengthy yet thin piece of steel was now whorling about fancifully, soaring through the air before being used in a whip-like manner, its munouchi Hijikata presumed coming down to cleave into the flesh of his shoulder. It seemed odd Hijikata would be able to view all of these events as they transpired, seeing as how he had his back turned to his adversary, but all was not what it seemed. The fluctuation of his outermost limbs and torso was the means by which Hijikata had not only been able to witness the movements of his foe but was also able to deceive Antipathy. The quivering was not there out of fear, but was his ability to move at a speed that not only kept him out of sight, but left an after-image that was more than the usual apparition. His ability worked upon the brain's holistic, self-organizing tendencies, so that when Hijikata began to use his ability, a visual gestalt was left before the eyes of his foe and anyone else who was witnessing the battle take place. Hijikata's form (or gestalt) was not defined by a rigid template or mathematical formula, but rather emerged spontaneously by the parallel action of alacritous movement acting at all points in the surrounding area simultaneously. In essence, the speed in which he was traveling caused Antipathy to perform the act of reification, which is the constructive aspect of perception, by which the experienced percept contains more explicit spatial information than the sensory stimulus on which it is based. Because of how the brain was formulated and regulated, its self-organizing tendencies had made the full image from the delineation of Hijikata's body. A myriad of other such phantasms appeared, each differing from the other slightly, recreations of the previous movements he had performed before Antipathy so that what appeared to be his true form appeared behind Antipathy, the kissaki of Hakko pressed between his foe's neck and shoulder, Hijikata ready to cut the man's jugular.

..:::Momentary escapes of reality.. A slight sigh had been emitted across his rosery aperture the moment, that his Hakujinnotachi had met with nothing-ness. A mimickry of the after-imaging technique. For one who'd studied such intricacies of battle death came upon a cascading wind often.. Though not in this manner, as obviously this was an actual life or death moment. It took but a moment, follow the paths of each ghostly construct, and to come to the realization of what was happening. Clearly, Hijikata was not a novice at this, yet nor was Antipathy. A kimono of cloth to be the only thing that protected himself from the razor's edge of death? Surely not. A fool walked into battle unprepared, and it took but a moment to utilize this preparation to his advantage. Softly, he'd turned his neck against the blade, and lowered his head, letting the blade graze his scalp, instead of the less fruitious slash of the neck, which was hoped. His Kanzashi was used for more than ornamentry, which is why he'd opted for a wooden comb instead of the traditional silken flowers. Crimson specks littered the comb, as it'd come to press down upon the blade. In such close quarters, it surely wouldn't build enough momentum to clear the blade, which left his cranium in tact for the time being. "..Marcato..:: Taking this moment of clarity.. This moment of totall sound mind, he'd counter. The wrist flicked, bringing the immediate portion of the blade, the four or so feet which rested just above the tsuka, back into himself quickly, it's broad looking to meet harshly with Hijikata's ribcage. How impressive this man was.. The use of a chilling visage of apparition's to trick the human mind into fictitious thought. A soft unnering chuckle came to regress, as depravity wove itself into inane laughter. :::..

The sole fact that Antipathy was able to follow his movements, to a certain exent, was admirable. It seemed as this meeting of warriors was much more enjoyable than he thought it would be. The gestalts he had left behind were more than apparitions, though. They were constructs of his foe's memory, which is how he was able to differentiate the gestalts he had created, his actual form prepared to make a strike that would hopefully do no more than incapacitate his opponent. The harsh sound of his Hakko's blade coming into contact with the kanzashi doubled with the somewhat sickening snap of hair being yanked from one's scalp met Hijikata's ears, drops of blood falling upon the tsuba and the tsubamoto. Antipathy's sporadic mentality reflecting the course of action he took in each movement of their deadly dance. Thankfully, Hijikata's height enabled him to peer over his competitor's shoulder, observing the motion of his wrist and that of his elongated blade. Performing a partial pirouette, Hijikata tore the length of his blade from the confines of Antipathy's kanzashi, adding to the overall figure of hair forcefully removed from atop his head. In conjunction with both the partial pirouette and the movement of his blade, Hijikata reversed his grip upon his tsuka so that the kissaki pointed towards the ground redirecting the attack of the Hakujinnotachi with the bloodied tsubamoto, his back pressed against Antipathy's while his left hand slipped between them, the tips of his fingers forcing their way through his clothing and into the flesh over his left kidney.

..::: Forever would this fiery image be emblazoned upon his mind. How long 'forever' lasted, was now totally up to him. The agonizing blossoming of pain throughout his torso brought him into an ever-rising sense of urgeny. Urgency to not over-think his motions, but urgency to press his opponent into a mistake. A hopefully fatal mistake.. Yet, he'd settle just now for light damage. His wrist kept the blade along it's path, however, he contractied his outreached arms, bringing the serpent coiling about the both of them, as he directed his tsuka downward with the immediate moment in which the fingers clawed into his delicate portions. The hard, unyielding metal would come to slam forth into the fingers of Hijikata, the serpent itself, constricting with each passing moment, would render any movement after this point futile, save a breath hither and thither. Before they'd be full constructed, he'd settle about the tips of his zori sandals, letting his shoulderblades come to rest upon the shoulder blades of his opponent for a higher leverage point, should anything come to mind afterwards. And there it was, the distcint ring, in which the kissaki of the blade pressed upon itself, as it's rotation around the two had finished. A light trickle began to make it's way down the small of his back, the chilling feeling bringing a shover to his spine.. "..Allow me to properly introduce myself... I'm Tenjoukai, known to some as 'Antipathy' ...A fine fighting posture you have...." :::..

Hijikata had obviously earned the man's respect in the midst of their battle, so much so that he was willing to give his name. As his knees sunk slightly with the added weight of "Antipathy's" form upon his own, their shoulderblades seemingly locked together as the serpentine blade of Hakujinnotachi wound its way about them, prepared to constrict both of their bodies, something Hijikata had not considered but had already devised a way to use to his advantage. The breadth of Tenjoukai's blade slammed against Hijikata's fingers as they had made their way into the skin of Tenjoukai's back, the very tips of his nails brushing against a mass of fat and muscle. Upon the meeting of skin and blade, Hijikata winced slightly although it did not cause his tone to waver. "I am Toshizo Hijikata and your swordlplay is truly commendable." Synchronously with the sinking of his knees and the blow to his fingers which caused the length of his forefinger to snap at its middle, the soles of Hijikata's feet rolling forward fleetingly before he leapt into the air, Tenjoukai's positioning enabling Hijikata to put his plan into action. The Hakujinnotachi's blade tightened upon both of their forms during his short-lived leap which ended with the forehead, eyes and bridge of his foe's nose to be rammed into the wooden ceiling above them. Not only would this force be enough to splinter the wood, but most likely the countenance of his opponent as well as cause the winding blade to dig further into Tenjoukai as the rest of his head and chest followed suit, loosening its constricting hold on Hijikata.