Kara
Kakita Aritomo was one of the last Crane to represent the Clan in this tournament, all the others either being bested by their own, or outliers. However, the fact that so many Kakita took in on the dueling only showed how prominent they were. And above the rest, sat Aritomo. 

His opponent was the ronin that came to the dojo once before, and was not well-liked for rumors of besting some of the student's relatives in other duels. All the same, her skill could not be called into question. Chiyoko earned her spot, fair and square. 

And so, these two would engage in a classic dueling tale: Crane vs. Dragon, Kakita Style vs. Mirumoto Niten. 

__Phase One: Start__

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Larry
*Aritomo had been preparing for this tournament for some time, meditating, training, honing his skills to a razor edge, there was little doubt in his mind that he was the best duelist here, he just needed to prove it. 

That confidence faltered in the moment he noticed his opponent's choice of fighting style, as flashbacks of that duel, so long ago now, it seemed, came to the forefront of his mind. Almost as a reflex, his hand went up to the black patch, covering where his left eye would be, if not for the injury he sustained at the hands of his Dragon clan rival... Why any, even a ronin, would choose to study such an underhanded style was beyond Aritomo, but, just maybe, Fortune was smiling on him this day, for he had learned the hard way not to underestimate a practitioner of this style. He gives a courteous bow to Chiyoko as a signal that he was ready.*
Kara
Chiyoko stood up from her seat, taking a deep breath. So far, she did well, very well. She had her close calls, as any duel was a close call in and of itself. But she kept pushing forward. After all, she had a goal in mind, more important than any sword or prize. She prayed that would see her through to the end. 

But first, another opponent. She didn't know Kakita Aritomo, but she saw his bouts. He was good. _Very good._ But, was he better than her? Perhaps. But better didn't mean a win. It just meant the odds were against the ronin. She did notice the way he looked at her blades, and the way he touched his patch. There was history here, it seemed. She wouldn't dare use any underhanded tactics, but she would make it a point in order to use her Niten effectively. She stepped into the ring, and bowed to her opponent, as deep as a ronin should to a superior. "Kakita-sama. Shall we?" 

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__Phase One: Ended__
__Phase Two: Start__ ||
Larry
*Aritomo returns the bow before taking his position, his one good eye locking with her eyes as he shifts his feet to his fighting stance. His hand goes to the hilt of his katana, readying himself for the one true strike that would end their bout. He pushed all his earlier doubts from his mind, she was clearly quite skilled to have made it this far, and he would be a fool to underestimate her. His mind clears, as the world seems to slow down, he tuned out everything around him, none of it mattered. He attempts to get a read of her, studying her stance, her hand placement, any minute detail could spell the difference between victory and defeat in these duels.*
Kara
Chiyoko did what she always did, when faced with an opponent like this. She took him in. Everyone had a fault, everyone had a weakspot. Aritomo was missing a left eye, same as her. Thus, a blind spot to the left. Just like her. Naturally the proper place to attack would be for the left flank, but doing so put her own flank at danger. But, danger she could handle, if needed. 

She exhaled, and slipped into her _kamae._ She stood still like a statue, but as if mid-gait, ready to continue to walk, run, jump, dive; thus was Niten's principle: Show what you wish, hide what you do not. Both her blades were on her left hip, ready to draw. But how she'd draw them, was not clear, not yet. 

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||__Phase Two: Ended__
__Phase Three -Mind Battle: Begin__||

The battle of the mind was the hardest. Arrogance and overconfidence could poison the movements, make every possible outcome look like a victory. Chiyōko pushed that out of her mind. She must be as void; nothing and everything. 

Thus, she pictured nothing. Nothing but Aritomo. He was faster, and he was Kakita. A duelist of their school could strike in many ways, but they all held one truth: speed. She pictured the many strokes of the blade. Rising. Sweeping. Thrusting. All came swiftly, going for her left side, no doubt. And the Kakita were known to slice the cheek, a signature she had evaded for some time. So, her pathway was clear. 

She would move, but she would not try to match speed. Why run, when you need only walk? She would just walk her _Kamae,_ and draw. Wakizashi in her right, forward grip to catch the katana. Left, reverse grip, going low, to cut the side. She needs only break skin; if she could do that, she could be victorious. She could only pray her knowledge of the rival school would bring her the right answer. 

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Larry
*Aritomo took the time to study and size up his opponent, he had experience facing her particular style of fighting, and knew that her main advantage against him would be surprise... Having two blades to choose from, and likely equal ability to draw and cut with each, he knows that committing to a strike to early would allow her to counter by and attack his exposed side. Like himself, she's blinded on her left side, an obvious weakness, but she's likely already planned for him to strike there, and his blind side would be open to her counterattack. 

His best bet would be to force her to commit to a side first, because once she's committed, he has an opening, albeit, a small one, maybe a slit second at best, a difficult feat for all but the quickest of blades, which he was, his speed and agility being greater than most. He would need to stay focused, and watch for the slightest hint of her committing to a strike, and be ready to strike at any moment.*

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Kara
||Phase 3: Complete!
Phase 4: Begin!||

There was nothing left to but draw. Chiyōko was as ready as she could be. Her movements were ready, and it was merely a matter of acting. 

The hardest part of acting with defense in mind was going first. The smart move was to wait- no, the _obvious_ move was to wait for him to move. Foolishness. He was faster, she was certain of this. So, the only way left to go was forward with nothingness showing. As the Niten demanded. 

Chiyoko's hands hovered over her blades, grey eye locked on Aritomo and nothing else. She was still in her _Kamae,_ mid-step and stances unclear. 

But then suddenly, she was on the move. She stepped forward deliberately, moving not at her limit, but under it, hands still hovering over her swords.

But not for long. She waited for Aritomo's move, but not before choosing a side. 

_The right._ It was the only way he would go. Honor demanded it. Fate was certain in her mind. 

Chiyoko's stoic face stayed still when she suddenly drew blades, wakizashi springing up and ready to catch the surely impending strike of her Crane opponent. Her other blade was freed, ready to help her little sister in their tandem move: _Kakushi kamae: Keison no Niten!_

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Larry
*Seeing her commit to her right side, Aritomo almost takes advantage of her blind spot, but to win with such dishonorable tactics, especially when his opponent didn't take the same advantage? No if he was going to win, it would be because he was the better duelist, not because he hit her blind spot, he could only hope she was affording him the same courtesy. 

He moves to strike with lightning speed, drawing and cutting in one quick, fluid motion, looking to slide his blade along her cheek, one motion, be cut, this was the Kakita way...

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Kara
The ronin locked her eye on Aritomo. She had predicted it all properly. He was faster, he went for the right, and he would strike as a Kakita, and with honor in mind. Truly, a grand example of what Kakita-sensei wished of his pupils. Unfortunately for him, Mirumoto-sensei was also a grand teacher, and his lessons rang true that day. 

Chiyoko's wakizashi came up, acting as a the umbrella to block the swing that would have rained down upon her. The sound of blade kissing blade was the announcement that the katana was coming, and its arrival came with blood on the mind. Or, it _would_ have. 

The katana lashed out at Aritomo's side, but with restraint. Kimono and haori would be sliced, and the sting of the cut would be felt, just enough for blood to spill. For a moment, Chiyoko stayed in that crouching position, Aritomo's blade mere inches from her cheek. 

"A clean hit has been made!" The judges made their call, and one representative raised his right arm. "The victor of this duel is Chiyoko, the ronin!" Polite clapping (and quite a bit of disgruntled mumbles and muffled curses) sounded off as Chiyoko disengaged, flicking the blood from her blade before sheathing them both. 

"Kakita Aritomo-sama." Chiyoko looked to the man, and bowed deeply. "Well done. I've faced plenty of Kakita Duelists, but you were truly the most skilled. As one that used to be part of the Kakita-Mirumoto rivalry, honor demands that I admit when I was truly tested." She stood upright, and exhaled. That was another win. There was only two more opponents in her way. She was close, very close.

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Larry
*The match was over in an instant, as was the nature of their duels, the pain in Aritomo's side told him all he needed to know. He's quiet for a moment, as he sheathes his own blade, a million thoughts ran through his mind, most centered around the rage he was feeling, he had forgone attacking her blind side, believing that she would offer the same courtesy to him. It would seem that her chosen style was very much in line with her own honor, as she had taken advantage of his courtesy and struck his blind side.

He pushed all of these thoughts aside, the judge had already ruled, he was beaten, no need to shame himself by lashing out now. He bows to Chiyoko*, **"I was an honor..."** *He lies, forcing a smile, before departing for his own quarters.*