"Come on..." the raspy voice down the street teased, "Is that the best you got?"<br/><br/>Jun's claws scratched the hyena puppet again, but this time the damage was shallow. The mechanical beast retreated back, scampering away further down the street. It lowered its head and started to wag its tail... a taunt, no doubt, to manipulate a creature no later capable of joy.<br/><br/>In a dark alley not so far away... a black-clad woman with a painted face complained under her breath, "Tcch... Haiena could kill her if I'm not careful. Hrmph"<br/><br/>Kotone's head recoiled back when she saw Tashi disappear in a puff of smoke. The pillow flew away and bounced off of the ground and back towards the inn and the Suna kunoichi started looking around desperately for her enemy. "Damn." she cursed under her breath, her musical notes coming much more slowly and methodically. She went to work tuning the Koto with her other hand, adjusting the bridges as she bided her time.<br/><br/>Given a closer look, Tashi could tell that she was dressed somewhat revealing, showing off her midriff between a poncho and skirt, her limbs wrapped in bandages. Her dark strands of hair were barely visible under the customary turban and Sunagakure headband. Kinsuke scratched his shoulder as he settled his gaze upon Lilly. His pale eyes were framed in black as he readied his technique and sized up his foe.<br/><br/>The two trios stood at an impasse for a while, for a moment the fighting had stopped.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">Happy Holidays! Since Lily is more or less in a solo fight, I figure I can be wonky with the time frame... Lord knows the subject material has an unusual concept of time.</div></div>