[Kazama smirks as the Shinsengumi captain pulls his sword back and then brings it down; he blocks it again with an almost lazy flick of the wrist. He does have to admit (privately, and of course begrudgingly) that Shinpachi isn't unskilled. Most of the cretin he faced in battle would have had their katana sent flying at the first block and wouldn't have even had a chance to try a second strike.
But Shinpachi, unlike Kazama, is upset, and Kazama, unlike Shinpachi, is a demon. He has no anger or despair clouding up his sword, he just has strength and speed that far outstrip even the rasetsu.
But he is less free to dispatch him with one hand occupied keeping Chizuru (who has been struggling to try and trip him up since Shinpachi first rushed him, because she knows he is stronger than almost anyone and if he can just get an opening to land a low, she knows everything will be okay) still, and he shoves her back - sending her off-balance so that she stumbles and lands badly on the ground.]
Run if you like, [He says to her, almost like she's an afterthought.] But the other men here don't have any reason to desire you alive. [He does, however twisted his reasons for wanting her alive are. Hopefully she isn't so slow-witted that she doesn't understand his meaning.
But Chizuru wouldn't have run, anyway, because now that Kazama has more freedom of movement he is bringing down his sword on Shinpachi too quickly for her eye to follow. She hopes desperately it's because she isn't accustomed to battle and that Shinpachi, a true warrior, will be able to see and dodge or block. She looks on anxiously, wanting so badly to throw herself in there to stop Kazama from ladning any blows, but hitting the ground so hard has reopened another wound that had been in the process of healing and even just leaning forward to try to get up is beyond excruciating.]
Nagakura-san--
[Her shrill voice goes ignored by Kazama, who lunges for him.]
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But Shinpachi, unlike Kazama, is upset, and Kazama, unlike Shinpachi, is a demon. He has no anger or despair clouding up his sword, he just has strength and speed that far outstrip even the rasetsu.
But he is less free to dispatch him with one hand occupied keeping Chizuru (who has been struggling to try and trip him up since Shinpachi first rushed him, because she knows he is stronger than almost anyone and if he can just get an opening to land a low, she knows everything will be okay) still, and he shoves her back - sending her off-balance so that she stumbles and lands badly on the ground.]
Run if you like, [He says to her, almost like she's an afterthought.] But the other men here don't have any reason to desire you alive. [He does, however twisted his reasons for wanting her alive are. Hopefully she isn't so slow-witted that she doesn't understand his meaning.
But Chizuru wouldn't have run, anyway, because now that Kazama has more freedom of movement he is bringing down his sword on Shinpachi too quickly for her eye to follow. She hopes desperately it's because she isn't accustomed to battle and that Shinpachi, a true warrior, will be able to see and dodge or block. She looks on anxiously, wanting so badly to throw herself in there to stop Kazama from ladning any blows, but hitting the ground so hard has reopened another wound that had been in the process of healing and even just leaning forward to try to get up is beyond excruciating.]
Nagakura-san--
[Her shrill voice goes ignored by Kazama, who lunges for him.]