Kouta's shoto blade continued to scratch against Hayate's katana. Had they been crafted out of normal metal, Hayate's would have shattered and splintered. But the man's reiatsu proved dense and resilient enough to endure Kouta's deceptively offensive defense.

Kouta could soon make out a lump on Hayate's back and also noted the surrounding reiatsu to completely fade. Even he couldn't feel any other reiatsu than the three of them. This was disarming as he knew this hollow wouldn't back away from Kouta's seemingly endless levels of reiryoku. "Get out of here, Yue," he shouted toward the Academy student, his former pupil. He was endlessly thankful for her skill in Kido, but her life was still in danger and he was still responsible for her well-being. The reason she even returned was beyond him, but his attention was upon Hayate first and foremost.

Yue didn't answer. While she did feel the urge to escape and make it back safely, she knew she couldn't - the guilt would be as much likely to kill her on the inside as the Hollow could on the outside. Hayate was another issue. He was relatively young but undoubtedly skilled, one of their best fighters at that age. Even then, he was born into the main house; after Yue, he was next in line to assume control over the Yukihiro noble house and considering the fact that Yue herself probably wouldn't be eligible due to marriage, Hayate was most likely their next Head. And Yue knew Isao would be pretty angry at the loss of Hayate. 

Hayate's blade still made its way expertly around Kouta, but Kouta's reaction and utter discipline in both Zanjutsu and Hakuda more than made up for his lack of speed and knowledge of the sword itself. Kouta's off hand worked at Hayate's body until it turned bruised and limp. He would not kill the man, if that's what he could still be called. "What are you doing? What's happened?" he asked Hayate when he lay on the ground almost lifeless.