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Post by superkamiguy1 on Nov 7, 2024 2:33:07 GMT
Kurosawa Han waited in the interrogation room for the prisoner. It had been months since they'd last seen each other and they hadn't spoken since she'd been arrested but recent events had forced his hand to come here and speak with her. Normally the security measures in the room would be ready and waiting to blow any problematic prisoners away but he'd arranged for them to disabled. He had his own plans for how this meeting was going to unfold and those would have just gotten in the way. He opened his eyes as one of the doors slid open and the guards escorted the prisoner through a few more security checkpoints before they finally guided her across the room the door and forcibly sat her down in the chair. She said nothing. Cold as ice. As expected. Han signaled to the guards to let them know they could leave and they turned around and walked right out.
"Now that was an impressive display." She complimented him.
"Almost as impressive as you having already escaped your cuffs?" Han asked with a smirk. "Come on. I can tell from your body language." She raised her arms up to reveal the cuffs had already been opened up and left to dangle from her right arm. She flicked a keycard out of her sleeve and slid it in the cuff and left it to fall to the table before she tossed the card to him. Spotlights in the room immediately flashed on and shined down on the prisoner but she remained unfazed "Nice trick. Mind telling me how you pulled it off?" Han asked her as he signaled and the spotlights turned off.
"There's a new guy working at the prison and he's a tad on the anxious side so he wasn't as careful as the others. I slipped the keycard from him while they were cuffing me and waited for the right moment to slip out of them. Between you and me? I'm certain I could've killed them and used a shield to protect myself from the overhead security measures but-"
"You didn't have an escape plan in place beyond that and you were also curious as to why I came to visit you, right? It's nice to see that you're still as sharp as a tack, Chifumi."
"Compliments appreciated, Han, but I'm assuming this isn't a social visit? Death Row Prisoners don't exactly have a lot of guests."
"You're right. I came here to ask you a few questions about a couple of events that happened to you recently."
"I'm not going anywhere. Ask away."
"Do you remember the pair of men who came to visit you a while back?"
"Hmmmm...oh, yeah, those two. Yeah, they offered to get me out of here and wipe my record or something so long as I took care of a 'Hit-Job' for them. I smelled the bullshit a mile away so I turned them down. Kami knows that my sins are far too public to ever be wiped away and while I had a few key people on my own little 'hit-list' I was smart enough to tell that I'd be turned into cannon fodder for whatever it was they were trying to peddle...and considered expendable even if I pulled it off." She shrugged. "I already explained all this to Maki when she asked me about the disappearances of prisoners but all I could do was describe the Two Stooges. Why, did you know them?"
(Suko. Those idiots even tried to recruit freaking Suko. Of all the prisoners they chose her. I know The Blood Hunt was an all hands on deck situation but come the fuck on!) "Just a couple of morons I'll need to have a word with." He responded. "But lets move on. I commend your insight in that situation. Lesser Criminals would've fallen for the trap."
"Lesser Criminals make excuses for what they are. I never have."
"Refreshing. Regarding your fellow prisoners, can you please explain to me how you recently murdered Matsunaga Jori?"
"Oh. Her." Suko scoffed. "Would you believe it was Self-Defense?"
"After what you did to her body? No."
"It was though. I was in the middle of my exercises, what exercising I can do in the limited space available to me in the cell, when the blast doors slid open and she walked inside. Now, normally all prisoners are to remain behind the line unless escorted by the guards less we be gunned down by the security guns. So imagine my surprise when she's able to walk right in to pick a fight with me. All she told me was that she'd been granted a reprieve if she gutted me like a fish. Amateur. I have no idea what she did to wind up on Death Row nor did I care. I just killed the bitch as well as I ever killed anyone." A long content sigh escaped her lips. "It was like Christmas. I hadn't killed anyone in so long. You can only imagine the relief when her blood sprayed over me."
Han wanted to slam her head into the table but played it as cool as ever. "I can, in fact, imagine how such a sensation would feel to a maniac like you."
"I won't deny that."
"But explain something to me: I've seen the cameras. You're always either relaxing on your bed or performing your limited exercises. How did you maintain your skills?"
"Mental Stimulation Training."
"Mental Shadowboxing. So that's how you maintained your skills while living it up among the people."
"Nailed it. I was always practicing back then but it was only after my defeat that I found an opponent to focus on."
"You do realize that Chidori's request is the only reason you're still alive, right?" Han reminded her. "She wanted you to face justice, proper justice, and be imprisoned so that everyone would know that you were gone."
"I'm aware. I never asked her to do that though. To be honest though I thought I'd be executed a long time ago. The wait is the real killer here. You'd think they'd expedite and send me right to Hell after all I'd done."
"Oh don't worry you're still on the chopping block but they're going to take their time and let you wallow in the cell until the time is right. As for Matsunaga's transgressions, I will be looking into that but it will take a while seeing as how you pissed all of Japan and beyond."
Suko smirked at that.
"I would however, like to test out your Mental Training. See how far you've come since you fought my sister."
Suko rested her head in her palm. "Tempting but what's the stakes? I'm already on Death Row and I can tell you're not going to let me out even if I win."
"The chance to take out all that aggression that's been bubbling up within you all this time and let it out on the brother of the lady who defeated you. If you win? I'll accept however much on asskicking you want to give me and arrange for a stay of execution. Just take me to the ground and victory is yours."
"...You're serious? You know I nearly killed Chidori, right?"
Han just smiled. "All respect to my prodigy sister and her years of hard work and dedication, Chifumi, but I'm not my sister."
-
Elsewhere, Chidori randomly sneezed.
-
"And what if I lose? I die here and now?"
"Oh trust me. You'll find out."
Suko studied him for a minute but he was like a cipher she couldn't get any reading on him beyond "You're actually serious about this, huh."
"As serious as a heart attack. Show me what you've got, Slasher."
"Alright, fine, what do I have to lose anymore?" Suko asked and lashed out at him with a lightning fast jab but Han deflected it. Suko narrowed her eyes and without warning her free hand shot forward, two fingers outstretched in a Tiger Claw Strike aimed at Han's wrist. Han, with preternatural calm, barely tilted his arm, his fingers twisting just enough to let her strike skim past. The sound of the air slicing from her forceful jab echoed softly, carrying an undercurrent of restrained power.
They paused, their hands poised, hovering. Neither spoke but their eyes conveyed all that was needed: Challenge, respect and defiance. With a single swift motion, Han struck back. His wrist flicked as if his fingers darted like a snake's fangs, brushing past her throat but she jerked back just enough to avoid the strike, but Suko felt a faint graze, lie a whisper of danger upon her skin. Their hands moved faster now, strikes and counters flowing in a fluid yet fierce dance of close-quarters combat. Every flick of a finger, every twist of the wrist was executed with lethal precision, yet neither of them rose from their seat.
Suko's hand darted forward, her fingers curling like a striking snake, heading straight for his wrist again but Han had anticipated this and his wrist twisted with precise control and he redirected his wrist to make her hand glance off harmlessly. Since straight hands weren't enough she switched it up for a kick. Her left foot, hidden beneath the table, snapped outwards in a sweep at his shin but Han countered with a twist of his own ankle, deflecting the strike with a delicate turn of his foot. She recovered however and their legs began engaging in a dangerous dance in a silent exchange of kicks and sweeps, each attack absorbed or redirected with a minimum of movement that left their upper bodies still until he subtly shifted his weight and his left handed guided towards her chest but her hand shot out in a blur to push down his hand and then she struck up at his shoulder and finally tagged him.
"Hey, not bad." Han told her. "But we're still warming up. We have this whole room to use and I intend to do so."
"Show me."
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Post by Valhalla Erikson on Nov 7, 2024 19:52:03 GMT
Author's Note: This one takes place before they fought. I felt inspired to provide some additional mention of Hiro  Suko leaned back, her gaze hardening as she stretched her arms, preparing her shoulders for the sparring that was about to unfold. She moved with a measured deliberation, never breaking eye contact with Han, her lips curling slightly. “One request,” she said, rolling her neck to the side in a slow, almost lazy movement. “No matter what happens in here, keep your sister out of it. Last thing I need is a seven-foot Amazon barreling in and ripping my arms out of their sockets.” Han chuckled as he shrugged off his coat, folding it casually before hanging it on the back of the chair. His fingers deftly loosened his tie, and with an unexpected grin, he wound it around his knuckles, almost like he was preparing for a street brawl. “That would be Hiro when she’s *calm,*” he said, the amusement dancing in his eyes. “You wouldn’t want to see her when she’s upset.” Suko raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. “Go on then, you’ve got my interest. What’s her idea of ‘upset’?” Han crossed his arms, his smile widening as he recalled. “The last pair who crossed her—let’s just say they went from human to hamburger. She doesn’t usually get that angry… but when she does, it’s a sight. Two of the Cleaners had to get therapy because of that” A low whistle escaped Suko, and she shook her head, begrudging respect in her eyes. “Damn. You Chase siblings are something else.” She tilted her head thoughtfully, studying him. “I can see why they all keep an eye on you.” Note: There is a reason why she calls Kurosawa, Chase. Think of it as her own pet nickname. “Reckless is a bit harsh, don’t you think?” Han replied, smirking as he loosened his shoulders. “I prefer... *confidently unpredictable.*” “Keep telling yourself that, Chase,” she quipped, shifting into her stance. Her gaze sharpened as her muscles coiled, tension palpable, ready to spring. They moved almost at once, an unspoken signal flashing between them. Suko came in low and fast, her fists darting out with sharp, precise strikes aimed at Han’s center. He responded just as quickly, sidestepping, his arms deflecting each blow with an ease that bordered on effortless. A quick jab from Suko grazed his side, but Han barely flinched, his fist snapping out toward her shoulder, using the momentum to pivot. She blocked him, their forearms connecting with a sharp crack that echoed through the room. For an instant, they held there, locked, eyes meeting in a wordless challenge. Their bodies moved with the efficiency of trained fighters, their footwork almost poetic as they danced around each other, each one anticipating and countering, testing the limits without pushing too far. The room was silent except for their breathing and the occasional slap of skin against skin as they struck and deflected, the sound punctuating the tense rhythm of their spar. Han’s eyes narrowed as he pressed in, shifting tactics. He threw a faint to her left side, and Suko, eyes glinting, saw through it. She dodged and swept her leg low, nearly catching his ankle, but he leapt back with a grin that told her he knew she wouldn’t make it easy. “Not bad,” he said, breathing a little harder. “But you’re holding back.” “Maybe,” she replied coolly. “Maybe I’m just warming up.” She launched herself at him in a blur of motion, fists a rapid-fire flurry, her moves suddenly sharper, her gaze unyielding. Han’s smile faded as he locked into focus, defending each strike with a practiced intensity, his jaw set. Suko’s knee shot up, nearly clipping his chin, but he twisted, deflecting her leg with his arm in a swift, powerful motion. They fell back into a rhythm, faster now, both of them adapting, upping the ante with each exchange. Suko’s grin flashed briefly as she broke through his defenses, landing a sharp jab to his shoulder. Han responded with a quick, sweeping kick, forcing her to jump back, and for a moment, they both paused, catching their breath. “You don’t give up, do you?” Han said, shaking his head, but there was admiration there, beneath the teasing tone. “I’m still here, aren’t I?” Suko’s voice was defiant, her breathing steady despite the exertion. “Now come on, Chase. Show me that this family of yours lives up to the hype.” Without another word, they lunged at each other again, the clash of wills unmistakable, an unspoken respect threaded through the violence, each hit sharper, each counter faster. Neither would back down, and that, somehow, was the truest test of all.
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Post by superkamiguy1 on Nov 7, 2024 23:08:43 GMT
Author's Note: See now this interaction makes more sense than Batman & The Joker. None of the Not So Different crap. This one takes place before they fought. I felt inspired to provide some additional mention of Hiro - Suko leaned back, her gaze hardening as she stretched her arms, preparing her shoulders for the sparring that was about to unfold. She moved with a measured deliberation, never breaking eye contact with Han, her lips curling slightly. “One request,” she said, rolling her neck to the side in a slow, almost lazy movement. “No matter what happens in here, keep your sister out of it. Last thing I need is a seven-foot Amazon barreling in and ripping my arms out of their sockets.” Han chuckled as he shrugged off his coat, folding it casually before hanging it on the back of the chair. His fingers deftly loosened his tie, and with an unexpected grin, he wound it around his knuckles, almost like he was preparing for a street brawl. “That would be Hiro when she’s *calm,*” he said, the amusement dancing in his eyes. “You wouldn’t want to see her when she’s upset.” Suko raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. “Go on then, you’ve got my interest. What’s her idea of ‘upset’?” Han crossed his arms, his smile widening as he recalled. “The last pair who crossed her—let’s just say they went from human to hamburger. She doesn’t usually get that angry… but when she does, it’s a sight. Two of the Cleaners had to get therapy because of that” A low whistle escaped Suko, and she shook her head, begrudging respect in her eyes. “Damn. You Chase siblings are something else.” She tilted her head thoughtfully, studying him. “I can see why they all keep an eye on you.” Note: There is a reason why she calls Kurosawa, Chase. Think of it as her own pet nickname. “Reckless is a bit harsh, don’t you think?” Han replied, smirking as he loosened his shoulders. “I prefer... *confidently unpredictable.*” “Keep telling yourself that, Chase,” she quipped, shifting into her stance. Her gaze sharpened as her muscles coiled, tension palpable, ready to spring. They moved almost at once, an unspoken signal flashing between them. Suko came in low and fast, her fists darting out with sharp, precise strikes aimed at Han’s center. He responded just as quickly, sidestepping, his arms deflecting each blow with an ease that bordered on effortless. A quick jab from Suko grazed his side, but Han barely flinched, his fist snapping out toward her shoulder, using the momentum to pivot. She blocked him, their forearms connecting with a sharp crack that echoed through the room. For an instant, they held there, locked, eyes meeting in a wordless challenge. Their bodies moved with the efficiency of trained fighters, their footwork almost poetic as they danced around each other, each one anticipating and countering, testing the limits without pushing too far. The room was silent except for their breathing and the occasional slap of skin against skin as they struck and deflected, the sound punctuating the tense rhythm of their spar. Han’s eyes narrowed as he pressed in, shifting tactics. He threw a faint to her left side, and Suko, eyes glinting, saw through it. She dodged and swept her leg low, nearly catching his ankle, but he leapt back with a grin that told her he knew she wouldn’t make it easy. “Not bad,” he said, breathing a little harder. “But you’re holding back.” “Maybe,” she replied coolly. “Maybe I’m just warming up.” She launched herself at him in a blur of motion, fists a rapid-fire flurry, her moves suddenly sharper, her gaze unyielding. Han’s smile faded as he locked into focus, defending each strike with a practiced intensity, his jaw set. Suko’s knee shot up, nearly clipping his chin, but he twisted, deflecting her leg with his arm in a swift, powerful motion. They fell back into a rhythm, faster now, both of them adapting, upping the ante with each exchange. Suko’s grin flashed briefly as she broke through his defenses, landing a sharp jab to his shoulder. Han responded with a quick, sweeping kick, forcing her to jump back, and for a moment, they both paused, catching their breath. “You don’t give up, do you?” Han said, shaking his head, but there was admiration there, beneath the teasing tone. “I’m still here, aren’t I?” Suko’s voice was defiant, her breathing steady despite the exertion. “Now come on, Chase. Show me that this family of yours lives up to the hype.” Without another word, they lunged at each other again, the clash of wills unmistakable, an unspoken respect threaded through the violence, each hit sharper, each counter faster. Neither would back down, and that, somehow, was the truest test of all. Absolutely fantastic addition to the story! There's a reason that everybody acknowledges and respects Hiro! I tell ya, with Chidori, Han and Hiro teaming up train her? Hana is going to grow up to be an absolute menace! More than she is already anyway. - Hana: "Suko, Suko, she's our girl if she can't do it GREAT!"  - Malty watched the fight from the monitor room. She had to give the crazy-bitch some credit. She was fast for a non-powered human. Every bit the boss fight that Chidori described her ass. It was even more surprising the awful prison food she'd been subsisting on. That Image-Training, focused primarily on killing Chidori she was sure, must've been something else. But of course the problem with overfocusing on one specific target, if she indeed had been doing so, is it leaves you overspecialized against that one style of opponent. It would be interesting to see whether or not The Slasher would fall into that trap. As for Han, her beloved was expertly holding his own as she expected. A Gallant Knight In Shining Armor standing tall against the darkness. His presence alone illuminated the entire room. Kami, she loved him. She was curious about his intentions though. He was risking a lot here but she just told Malty that his condition for winning against her would be a surprise. Oh well. She was certain it would be absolutely diabolical. Han wouldn't be risking so much without a reason after all. She returned her attention to Suko as a smile crossed her face. She'd been curious as to what kind of madwoman she really was inside and decided to take a peek inside. She wouldn't be interfering of course, this was her Gallant Darling's fight, but she did project herself into Suko's Mindscape to find out just what made this woman tick. The battle continued! Han's feet shifted slightly into his next stance. Suko’s eyes swept over him, taking in the tension in his muscles, the cold intelligence behind his stare. Suko stepped forward, flexing her fingers as if loosening invisible blades from beneath her skin. Han was faster than she’d expected, shifting low and sweeping a leg out with the force and precision of a razor, aimed directly at her knee. But Suko moved in a blur, raising her leg just in time and catching his ankle mid-swing, her grip like iron. She twisted, intent on wrenching his knee out of joint, but Han spun with it, turning his body to lessen the force and sliding from her grip with uncanny grace. His response was immediate—a fist cut forward, swift and precise, aiming for her throat. She tilted back just enough that his knuckles grazed her skin but didn’t connect. Her movements were sinuous, snake-like, as she melted back into her stance, almost taunting him. Han didn’t take the bait, keeping his form tight, steps economical and sharp. (This one’s cautious.) She thought to herself, a glint of approval flickering across her face. A perfect contrast to his delinquent sister. That was the difference of course between an Assassin and a Street Fighter. Smiling, she darted forward, fingers curled like claws, aiming to hook her fingers into the pressure points at his shoulder. He blocked, his forearm slamming against hers with a bone-rattling impact. Han followed up with a low jab to her side. Suko twisted, absorbing the hit with a wince but using the momentum to drop low, swinging her leg toward his shins in a rapid sweep. Han leaped, landing lightly and already launching another attack. His fist whistled through the air, aimed at her jaw. She saw it coming, the muscles in his arm telegraphing his intent, but even she couldn’t dodge it completely. His knuckles clipped her, splitting her lip and sending a metallic taste through her mouth. She grinned, licking the blood from her lip. "More." she murmured, her voice a razor’s edge. They closed in again, each movement a dance of precision and intent, their styles clashing as violently as their fists. Suko only appeared to be wild and instinctive, her strikes looked unpredictable but every strike was calculated and delivered with lethality, her limbs snaking and bending at angles that would throw off anyone who dared to approach her. Han weaved around her, his eyes sharp as a blade, with every movement purposeful, honed, and calculated. In a flurry of movement, she lashed out with a rapid barrage of blows, her hands darting like snakes toward his vital points. Han parried each with minute movements, keeping his stance steady, until a feint from Suko made him step back. Her hand shot forward in a tiger’s claw, digging into his collarbone, her grip ruthless. With a twist, she tried to throw him to the ground, but he rolled with the force, dropping to his knees to disperse the impact, then driving a fist upward into her stomach. Suko let out a gasp, her grip loosening, and Han capitalized. He slipped from her hold, grabbed her wrist, and yanked her down, trapping her in a tight arm lock against the floor. But Suko didn’t hesitate. She twisted her wrist with unnatural flexibility, sliding out of the hold like water, then drove her elbow into his ribs. Han absorbed the blow, but the crack in his expression was enough to show her she’d found a weakness. She spun to her feet, her stance lower now, both hands raised in front of her face, ready to counter. Han, back on his feet in an instant, wiped a sheen of sweat from his brow. His gaze met hers, and they paused, the weight of the next few seconds settling like dust in the air. Without warning, Suko darted forward, aiming for his eyes in a feint, only to pivot mid-movement and swing her elbow toward his temple. But Han had anticipated the shift. He ducked low, then surged forward, slipping beneath her guard to strike her with an open palm to the chest. The force threw her back against the wall, knocking the breath from her lungs. For a heartbeat, she staggered, the fluorescent light casting her shadow large and warped against the wall. Then, a laugh escaped her, raw and exhilarated. She spit a fleck of blood onto the floor, regarding him with something akin to admiration. "Wonderful. I've needed this for months. You’re even better than I thought!" she admitted, voice low. Han didn’t respond, but there was a flicker of acknowledgment in his eyes. He could sense it—the shift, the place where her control slipped just enough to reveal the edges of something darker. Suko’s posture changed, her frame relaxing as though dropping into something more primal. Her smile faded, and she surged forward with renewed aggression, her strikes sharper, each blow aimed to maim, her speed almost blurring. Han ducked, dodged, countered, and blocked with fluid precision, but the ferocity of her attack kept him on the defensive. In one rapid motion, he took a calculated risk, stepping directly into her path. As her hand slashed toward his throat, he sidestepped, then struck her in the side with a ruthless hook, immediately following with an elbow to her jaw. The blow was punishing, snapping her head to the side and sending her staggering. Suko straightened, a grimace darkening her face. She was slower now, her guard slipping, and Han saw the opening. He closed the distance in a heartbeat, fist flying forward in a final, decisive blow to her throat only for Suko to actually turn and deflect it aside and throw him against the table. Han slammed hard against it as Suko kicked out his legs to force him to drop down as she began slamming his head into the table. Han grimaced as he was forced to withstand the impacts until he was able to grab the cuffs from earlier and he quickly swung them up and struck her arm with his elbow and then he cracked it with the cuff while grabbing her hand with his free hand and forcing it back to free himself from that predicament while he stood tall again and forced her to back off. Suko took a few steps back and shook out her arm with a smile. Han smiled back and dangled the cuffs from his hand before he simply tossed them away and gestured for her to bring it on. Suko smirked and dashed to the side, kicked one of the metal chairs into the air and then kicked it towards him but Han quickly deflected it aside and responded with a reverse roundhouse! |
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