[Verlyna's Emerald Pond]The Art of the Sword(Keido)

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky's intention with this stance was to avoid any attack possible, but Keido's fist had been directed toward him. It would be at the ribs, a punch that he was sure would come around. However Ricky had the advantage, for it was his sword that remained on top of Keido's. Therefore his reaction was easier to pull. Throwing his arm away from Keido Ricky's sword swung upward, and Ricky managed to spin away from Keido to avoid the attack. As his spin came to a finish he faced Keido with a different stance, both hands held onto the sword. He was on offensive now. A bit sooner than he thought, but this was only practice between the two. He would do best to switch around a bit. Going out for the offensive Ricky charged forward, sword raised and ready to strike he brought it up. Swinging downward in hopes that Keido would block this one too, because after this one was blocked Ricky would try that move from earlier. He would see it's power, and hope that it'd break through his guard while intentionally not hurting him.

[Keido]

Ricky was fast, he dodged the blow Keido had coming to him. Not only that be pulled back to keep his distance. Keido was at a disadvantage at a range. He had to get closer. He pulled back his arm to the front of him. Ready to charge with his kodachi. Since this was a sparring match, he only needed to nail in a few blows to win.

"That was a good move" he said, gripping the kodachi in front of him threateningly.

Then Ricky's stance changed to two hands? He was serious about this. Keido was going to have to change his strategy. He can't face strength with strength like this. Even if he used two hands on his own he will be at a disadvantage. Keido had to go for a dodge now. If Ricky was going to use two hands, Keido hoped that he will be easier to read.

Keido could see when Ricky charged with the sword raised upwards. He was going for a slash. But even knowing that won't help much if he was still incapable. Keido started stepping back with each step Ricky took forward. Trying to keep the same distance to lure him in. He watched Ricky's arm, for when they would tense up and bring the sword down. That will be when he makes his move.

Once he saw Ricky committed to the attack with bringing the sword down, Keido went for a dodge. He stepped his foot to the side, making his body parallel to Ricky's sword which wooshed down below. Then he continued his foot's movement to the side in a circle. He raised his arm and folded it. Hoping once he completed his circle, he can elbow Ricky forward somemore and put some more distance between them.

[Ricky Maze]

Seeing as how Ricky went for the offensive Keido went for the defense. Avoiding Ricky's attack and rearing his elbow to Ricky for a blow. Ricky couldn't move, the surprise reflex that Keido pulled was just as similar as Ricky's. However instinct managed to kick in, and at the right moment Ricky's subconsciousness pulled his sword up into a revolving swing. Bringing the sword around, Ricky spun right as the sword swung it's way to Keido. When Ricky was finally able to register in his mind what he was doing it was already too late, the sword had picked up momentum and his strength was shown in full. The blow would be like the same one with the grass earlier. Can't pull it away, to late to stop it. The sword picked up momentum from the spin, the force would be to great to block. Should Keido manage to avoid this attack Ricky would be pleased, however Ricky felt this one had to be blocked. If Keido did block, the worst possible would be him being knocked down by the force of the sword.

[Keido]

Keido had his back turned to Ricky and was moving too fast to even notice that Ricky had changed his attack. He did see Ricky going into a spin of his own but only thought that it meant Ricky was trying to face him for another attack. So Keido would not give him a chance. It only made him put more pressure on his foot to make him spin faster. And he pushed his body further to the side closer to Ricky's body too. To add more weight to the blow.

His blow might hit then, it was already half way through and the distance it had to travel was far less than Ricky's own sword. And when it did the man might get knocked forward. Causing him to stop his own attack. But if his attack did continue, he will find that instead of his sword cutting into Keido, it would be his arm hitting into his body since Keido closed in on the distance between them.

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky felt his body fly even faster, out of his control as Keido went in for his attack. The damned idiot, he's going for it even if the sword threatens him. He felt Keido's elbow crash into his ribs, causing him to go of course. He let the attack sink in, but allowed his body to go with the force. Making sure that the damage to be done was minimal, his sword had lost it's course and therefore barely scratched the top of Keido's shoulder. Ricky managed to regain his footing as he looked intensely to his partner. "Are you serious! What kind of dumb idea was that?! Had you blocked it you'd have been much better off!!" He placed the sword on his right shoulder, standing in his relaxed position. "Now it's your turn to try and hit me." Ricky felt sure he would be able to dodge his attacks, it would be a test but could he manage it as he did with Bones then he should learn a thing or two about dodging and timing his reflexes.

[Keido]

Keido did not even realize what Ricky was trying to do with his sword. Thinking that Ricky just was not happy with the outcome. He just shrugged off the angry shout and started to take up his stance. Actually he had been training how to fight from a young age, but Ricky might not be the same. Maybe he should take it down a notch for the man and use this as an opportunity to try some new untested moves.

"Well, I hope you be careful then Ricky..." Keido said.

This new move he wanted to use was using his kodachi for offensive. Pretty hard for a person who normally uses it as a defensive tool. Keido got down to a crouch, his free hand supporting him on the grounds forward. The other, the one with his kodachi he held behind him backhanded. Using his body to obscure it from Ricky's view.

It was not strength he wanted, but speed. Keido pushed his knees back a little, then extended them forward to push him into a dash. His arm which was supporting him was used to control and propel him to the direction at Ricky. He kept the kodachi hidden, behind his arm and back.

He told him to go faster, and faster. He finally reached in front of Ricky and transferred all the speed on his legs to his hand. The hand went in a half circle. Travelling past his back and into view of Ricky. But it would be too late for him to see where the blade was coming when he saw it coming past Keido's body. Since Keido was not aiming to hurt Ricky, he headed his blade over to his sword.

[Ricky Maze]

"Finally!" Ricky released all the anger and tension he held within, waiting for Keido to move in close for the swing. It was as Ricky expected, Keido was using his speed to gain the advantage. Though Ricky could tell when he swung the sword, he still had gained enough reaction timing to do what he planned. Ricky ducked under and avoided the kodachi with hardly any trouble, though his timing was only right he still wasn't out of the heat yet. Keido was no doubt going for another swing, maybe even a combo, that would be directed at Ricky. Ricky moved back a bit to refocus his attention, the target was no longer Keido but Keido's sword arm. If Ricky could focus and watch carefully when it moves, he could learn to better time his reactions to dodge.

[Keido]

The blade sweeped right through thin air. How was Ricky able see through the hidden sword slash? It was completely concealed as Keido knew, until he attacked which then would be too late. But nevermind that, he could work on the technique more for next time. His sword arm went across and was already on resting on his chest. No doubt he could just sweep it back around and try to strike Ricky at the same time but the time it will take to do that would be far too long.

Instead, what Keido did was sadly falling back on his habits. It was too soon to break the habit of getting your hands on your opponents. From the bottom near his hips his fist got ready. Keido threw his punch forward. Aiming right at Ricky's ribs. Once he was sure he was going to hit, he will take the opportunity of drawing back his sword and prepare for the next strike.

[Ricky Maze]

Hmph, seems he's serious about attempting this. Ricky smirked as he remained in place, relaxed and focused on reading that arm. When the movement would be seen he would move, and dodge the attack when Keido threw it. However Keido seemed to change it up, instead of pulling another swing his other arm flew into a punch. Ricky was thrown off, something that he should've expected but didn't had surprised him. Keido's fist was closing in. Think! How should I react?! His instinct reared in once more, and before he knew it his body acted upon it's own impulse. Ricky had manage to move to the right, grasp Keido's arm, and hold his sword near Keido's neck. The sword wasn't close enough to touch, but it was a sign that Ricky manage to pull out an opening. Ricky grinned. "Sorry to ruin the moment, but you're open on your left."

[Keido]

Again somehow Ricky saw through Keido's hidden strikes. The man was not as useless as he seems. If he did join the tournament he might just have a chance. But still, he was not that good by the looks of it.

Ricky might have grasped Keido's arm but then what? He just swung his sword up and taunted? Keido took the opportunity for that momentary lapse. Ignoring Ricky's hand he forced all his strength into his arm. Pushing forward to continue to its target. Ricky shouldn't be as strong as Keido to hold him down and his arm went forward right to Ricky's ribs.

At the same time he finally decided to move his kodachi. Since he could not use if for an attack he might as well use if to defend himself. Keido sweeped back the kodachi resting on his chest. Its path was to return to where it started. But on the way, it would hit the sword away at the hilt. Where he could match their weapons strength for strength instead of length.

"You talk too much..." Keido would say once he hit Ricky and his sword away.