"Well she's no longer with us."
Shinobu waved a hand idly. It's best not to get in her feelings about this specifically. She let out a short little hmm.
"But it's nice to know that there are people like her out there, Chi-Chi-san. It puts my heart at ease, thank you."
Chi-Chi took notice of that fluster as it was happening, though actively chose to ignore it. She often got that way herself, so she knew better than to bring more attention to it and thereby make things worse.
โYer sister? Well then, Iโm honored! Howโs she doinโ?โ
"Don't apologize, Chi-Chi-san. It's sweet."
She lets out a short sigh, as the purple of her fluster finally fades. How rare - she's usually able to hide it better than that.
"Ara~ honestly I don't often get doted on in such a way, it reminded me of my sister a little."
As the insect hashira reassures her, Chi-Chi finishes up and puts the cloth back away, scratching at the top of her head with a nervous finger as she too laughed off a bit of embarrassment.
โEh, sorryโฆ forceโa habit!โ
A soft little laugh. A faint streak of purple fluster crossing her face. Shinobu isn't. . . used to being taken care of? That's usually HER job? So she can't help but to be a little embarrassed
"Chi-Chi-san, really. I've taken worse, there's no need to fret."
The ox princess swiftly pulled out a handkerchief she kept concealed beneath her qipao, leaning in toward Shinobu and lightly peppering her wounded chin with gentle rubbing motions, so as to both alleviate the pain and clean her face.
โThat may be true, but I still feel badโฆโ
"No - No it's alright."
Shinobu let out a little huff. She rubbed at her chin where Chi-Chi's foot hit. Oh yeah that'll bruise.
"I'm used to it. I should've dodged - ara. . . and yet here I am making you worry, how unlike me."
Chi-Chi sprung up to her full height, worriedly scurrying over to Shinobu with a look on her face that indicated she felt horrible.
โOhhโฆ no no no! I didnโt mean tโhit ya that hard, Iโm so sorry! I jusโ thought you woulda been able tโtake itโฆ yeah, we better stop fer nowโฆโ
"Go-Goodness, Chi-chi-san. . . "
She had to shook her head. The kick sent her brain rattling.
"I need a moment - I believe that sent my brain rattling -"
The inability to cut off a demon's head should never be confused for weakness. The endless regeneration of a demon's body makes it difficult for someone with a build like Shinobu's to commit to the follow through
She doesn't have the upper body strength to deal with it+
Chi-Chi briefly adjusted her footing and regulated her own breathing as she watched Shinobu prepare her approach, deliberating in her mind's eye which one she'd elect to take.
("If I'm right, she'll most likely try fer a feint next... question is, where?")
Her thinking was +
The woes of being so light - it sent her skidding alright, or really. . . more akin to tumbling! she fell on her back, would've devolved into a roll if she didn't kick herself back onto her feet in a show of. . . acrobatic mastery. +
It seemed like she was going for another gut shot - before quickly readjusting! sliding across the dirt and going for a SOLD shot on her side! Not so much about power, as it is proving that she could AT LEAST get a hit in. . . hopefully.
It's amazing. . . Shinobu was a small woman, but Chi-Chi managed to make her feel SMALLER! It's not so much. . . an insult, as it is an awareness that there are people BETTER than her! A hashira she may be. . . the end all be all of strength it is not. . . especially not for her+
Each strike - meteoric though they might've been - which flew toward the manufactured slips in Chi-Chi's guard connected only with thin air or the center of the martial artist's palms as she masterfully bobbed and weaved out of harm's way. Still, the ox princess couldn't +
If Shinobu just shot forward there's a non zero chance she'd get swatted like a fly - but the alternative is a technique that really only works once. . . a feint! but hey, if it works! Once again the Swordswoman was like a blur! crossing the distance in moments!
Shinobu takes a deep breath. She centers herself. . . it's been ages. Lets see if she remembers the basics. Swordplay is much more her forte, stabbing - gouging, ripping, tearing. . .
Her fingers clench into a fist. deep breath. She can see those openings EASILY! +
โDonโtcha worry โbout that, Iโm pretty good at pacinโ myself! I wonโt up the ante โless Iโm sure you can take it.โ
Chi-Chi shoves off the ground at the push of her heel so as to create a fair bit of distance between them, almost dancing into a fluid fighting stance that +
She hissed out some air, muscles relaxed and quickly tensing.
Shinobu was FAST! Not too fast for Chi-Chi of course, but fast ENOUGH! faster than she looks. She was aiming STRAIGHT for the intentional lapses in defenses! Each strike like a meteor! quick, POWERFUL! Precise +
finishing up her own stretches, cracking her neck. A soft little 'Oh!' at the mention of a spar. A cheeky little grin spread across her face.
"It's been a while since I've had the chance, especially hand to hand! Very well, just don't go TOO hard, alright? I'm quite fragile."
Chi-Chi begins her own set of stretches, also surprisingly supple as she bends and dips in all sorts of flexible ways. When finished, she offers Shinobu an inviting smile.
โAlright! Now that thatโs taken care of, care tโspar a little? That way, I can gauge where yer at.โ
"Ara~ Naturally, Chi-Chi-san! you don't need to tell me that! Lets get limber."
Shinobu begins her usual stretching and - oh wow she is LIMBER! look at her stretch. Able to touch her toes and everything!
"Wouldn't wish for a cramp MID lesson!"
โWell, it ainโt like Iโm doinโ anythinโ at thโ momentโฆ so sure, why not? Letโs start with some stretchinโ, โkay? Youโll wanna make sure yer muscles are loosened up before you do any kinda exercise.โ