[center][h2][b][color=0072bc]Mirai Yumiya[/color][/b][/h2][/center]

Things just kept getting worse and worse. Mirai knew Yakoul was a strong person, he could definitely take on either of the Red Sage leaders or perhaps even both, but he kept screwing around with the two girls instead. Meanwhile the barrier had come down and rebels were hunting down the general they were supposed to be protecting. She wanted to voice her complaint to Yakoul, but she kept her mouth shut out of fear. Kanata didn't seem to have the same inhibitions, but one person testing a homicidal psychopath was more than enough in Mirai's book. But it seemed that they wouldn't be able to stand on the sidelines as spectators any longer.

When Mirai looked over towards Katsuko again after he addressed them, she felt something was wrong. Something was wrong with his eyes and something was wrong with her body. [color=0072bc][i]Genjutsu?[/i][/color] She quickly looked away, facing Kanata instead. The sinking feeling had vanished, but Mirai began to realize what happened. [color=0072bc][i]My chakra was just being used. I haven't even used any of it yet and I can feel that it isn't full anymore. Can he really take my chakra with just his eyes? How are we supposed to fight him now?[/i][/color] Yakoul began moving forward now, which Mirai immediately noticed. [color=0072bc][i]How can the cat-man bear this? He's looking right at the guy. Is he insane? He'll lose before the fight even begins if his chakra is completely drained.[/i][/color] Yet their fearless leader showed no signs of backing down. His erratic behavior was admirable, to a degree. Mirai found herself envious of his courage and confidence.

But they still had to fight. The Red Sage's Lady Commander just stole the life of the general they were supposed to protect. They were trying to retreat, to flee. They had simply come into the city in a storm of blood and steel and now wish to leave as if nothing happened? It made Mirai feel not only helpless but angry. She almost didn't even notice Kanata introduce herself but snapped back to reality just in time. [color=0072bc]"Mirai,"[/color] she introduced. She went to shake hands, as would be polite to do so, but stopped herself midway. Her real hand was holding a sword and it was her prosthetic that had reached forward. She quietly abandoned the idea, withdrawing her metal arm and focusing her attention forward again. Rather than looking at Katsuko she instead focused her gaze at the ground in front of his feet, near Yakoul. [color=0072bc]"I can use shuriken to distract him so Yakoul can get an advantage. But they seem to be... not fighting. I don't know if launching the first attack is wise when we already lost a general and another is standing face-to-face with one of the rebels..."[/color] The blue-haired girl looked back to Kanata. [color=0072bc]"D-d-... do you have any ideas?"[/color] It felt awkward to rely on someone new. Usually it was Aneko that came up with plans for Mirai, but that wasn't an option right now. She would have to rely on her own ability... but mostly on Kanata's ability.

[hr]

[center][h2][b][color=ed1c24]Katsuko Moto[/color][/b][/h2][/center]

The red-haired man stood his ground after Seijo gave the command to attack. Unlike his boss, he didn't have any particular means for a ranged attack. And he wasn't about to jump into her attack to get a hit in on the silver-haired woman. At the same time, he wasn't going to leap towards Yakoul either. Could he defeat Yakoul? Yes. Could Yakoul defeat him? Also yes. He was confident and proud, but he wasn't about to throw caution into the wind. All he needed to do was keep Seijo alive and allow the Red Sages to complete their assassination. He wouldn't dance to the enemy's tune, they'd have to dance to his. But something began to bother Katsuko very quickly as events unfolded around him.

[color=ed1c24][i]What is this guy?[/i][/color] he wondered. Most people look away after being confronted with his Kekkei Genkai. It was natural, as nobody wanted to be drained of their chakra. The two girls looked away, for example. But Yakoul didn't. He stared right back. And that made Katsuko uncomfortable. [color=ed1c24][i]He knows exactly what I'm doing and doesn't care. And his chakra... it isn't human. I've never felt anything like this before. It's almost... intoxicating. But at the same time it feels... bad.[/i][/color] His serious expression changed into a clear frown as Yakoul began to approach. Only the man was walking forward at a casual pace. [color=ed1c24][i]He is goading me to lose ground. There is no way he would think that I can't annihilate him if he gets careless, yet he's pretending to be careless.[/i][/color] His body tensed up as Yakoul drew close. It was only when he was [i]just[/i] out of striking distance that he stopped. [color=ed1c24][i]I can't read this guy.[/i][/color]

Katsuko remained silent as the Confederate general continued to spout vulgar nonsense. That was until he voiced that he would change his foe from Seijo to... some guy that Katsuko couldn't really remember the name of. It didn't matter who he selected, it was the gesture that was important. The meaning behind his action. [i]He was playing around.[/i] [color=ed1c24]"Oi,"[/color] Katsuko finally spoke up, to get Yakoul's attention. [color=ed1c24]"You're forgetting something very important: you aren't getting past me."[/color] Anyone spectating would feel the tension of two intimidating enemies facing each other down at an incredibly close range. [color=ed1c24]"We have already won this battle. If you take another step forward it will be your last."

[i]I have no idea if he will try or not. This man, I think it's a man, reveals nothing of his thoughts. Maybe he doesn't even think. If he moves I'll have no choice but to fight, but he'll expect... a kick. A punch would be too obvious, a kick would be deceptive enough. If I want to end him in one blow, before he can get a chance to fight back, I'll have to outsmart him before over-powering him.[/i][/color] Katsuko's mind began racing. Normally he would never have to think so much about how to fight. It was always natural, an instinct. He would follow his own flow and defeat everything in his path. But this enemy was different. The way it talked, the way it walked, the way it thought, they all fought against his instincts. He felt that his natural fighting style would lead to failure with Yakoul. That this was an opponent who could exploit his weaknesses. A battle of strength was his domain, but he knew that he would enter a battle of wits if the crazy cat bastard didn't heed his threat. [color=ed1c24][i]Worst-case scenario: I just have to bide some time for Seijo to escape. I can get away by myself easy enough if I can avoid being wounded. There is only one threat to me here and he's standing in front of me. Just out of reach...[/i][/color] The young man shifted slightly, putting more of his weight on his supporting leg rather than his forward one. He prepared to dodge, in the instance that the cat-man or any of his allies would try to attack. He didn't know of Yakoul's abilities or style, but he hoped it went the other way as well. That would be the only way his plan could work.