Forging bonds thru fists

Ghost had left the cafeteria and exited to the back yard. His shadow danced in the afternoon sunlight and he chuckled to himself a little. He couldn't help but think about how this almost felt like an old western. The two combatants slowly entering the area as a noon sun hung over head. He wasn't really into those kinda of movies but he did admit the situation had a certain feel to it.

He adjusted his clothing and made sure his boots and gauntlets were secured as he waited for Roan to exit the building. He was sure others would gather once they began but that was unimportant to him. He closed his eyes focusing his mind. Comrade or not, Ghost would not hold back. It would be an insult to his challenger and to himself to hold back on someone with the potential to trade blows with him.

As Roan approached Ghost looked up the sun reflecting off his gauntlets and making his mask seem to glow in the light.

"We may begin when you are ready. To be fair I shall not teleport nor go intangible" Ghost's tone was clear even through his voice modifier. He was going to make the spar as fair and honorable as he could and that would mean no cheap tricks

Roan left the building after Ghost and now stood opposite this shadowy figure. In the light, this shadow seemed even larger. He stared at the man as he adjusted his gauntlets and positioned himself, his mask reflecting the sun's rays. It was almost contradictory, having a shadow reflect the sun. Taking in a deep breath, he prepared his mind and body for the coming battle.

He'd already sized up his opponent, so there wasn't much left to do except get the ground rules. Ghost spoke out first, giving Roan a few concessions to level things out. He gripped Raigeki and flicking the blade, he made a faint ringing sound that penetrated his ears. "Alright then." In his ready position, Roan commenced the match, "Let's begin."

Ghost watched his opponent taking a stance preparing one himself. Unlike when he faced the students he took a proper stance this time. His footing was firm and his arms were up ready to block

"I shall give you the first move if you wish it"

Ghost was more then willing to attack first but found it easier when starting a fight to just counter before attacking as he would leave less openings. That and he knew his reflexes would allow him some leeway in terms of being attacked. He wouldn't be able to avoid everything but at least counter.

He was unsure how Roan would attack but knew his gauntlets would serve him well against the man's sword. It felt odd to face off against someone like this as it had been a long time since he had a face to face fight. Usually his job was to sneak behind people take them out without them ever knowing he was there so he was looking forward to this to the extent that had his face been visible he would have had a smile on his face

"Sure," Roan nodded as he stood at the ready. "I'll accept your good will."

The field was near silent, with only the sound of rustling grass being trampled under foot. The area mapped itself out before him, how many steps between them, wind direction, etc. Roan started towards Ghost. The dark one has probably already plotted his course of action. It would be quite reckless to try and go straight in at an enemy he wasn't aware of. He was well aware of that and Ghost was practically the definition of unknown. However, there was something else Roan was aware of. His opponent waited patiently as a he closed their gap step by step. He took notice of Ghost's stance. He wasn't sure about it, but he felt like he'd seen it before. It wasn't something he could concern himself with at the moment. With his clenched fist carefully aimed, he decided he would confirm things with his fist. This attack would set the pace of the entire bout.

Ghost prepared as Roan moved closer. He watched as the punch flew at him his body shifting putting more weight into his stance as he moved his hand catching the punch and pushing it away. As he threw Roan's hand out of the way he moved in to strike with his other hand as he pushed off with his back foot to close the remaining distance. He had promised a limit to his powers but some just couldn't be switched off.

"It isn't wise to test people without using your full strength"

Ghost was able to tell the punch wasn't the best the man could do though he was holding back himself

Had he made right decision? Roan's attack was parried and he was sent stumbling towards Ghost, who was preparing his own attack. The dark shadow closed the distance between them and with his center of balance off, Roan was wide open. He stared up into the cold dark mask that hid the face of his opponent. The torrent inside him roared loudly in his ears. Did he make a mistake? No, of course not. In battle, there were many different paths to follow, but only a single choice to be made and like an answer on a test, it cannot be changed. He chose the path that made the most sense to him and so, as he braced for impact, a grin spread over his face. With this, I'll have met another of my conditions.

Ghost's palm his Roan square in the chest pushing him back a little bit before Ghost returned to his stance.

"You are thinking to much. I can see it on your face"

Ghost wasn't what one would call a "people person" however he could read people. It didn't take some telepathic power or something right that just experience. He could see when people where agitated or unfocused and Roan was clearly not focusing fully on the fight. If he had cared more Ghost probably would have been offended.

"Draw your sword if you like. I have no issue with you striking in attempt to kill me"

His voice was like a whisper as always but his words held strong conviction, he truly didn't care if the other man struck in attempts to kill. Was he that confident in himself? Probably not but he knew that most only showed true potential when they were about to lose everything

Roan held his chest as he skid backwards across the lawn. "Hoho?" Roan responded, half interested in the words Ghost directed towards him. He got the feeling this guy didn't think he was serious, though he did get something right. His mind was working quite a bit, but so much as to hold him back.

Ghost's voice reached Roan again. He wondered if the dark one was looking down on him. Well, that didn't matter. Roan wasn't quite ready to draw Raigeki yet. After all, he was an all around combat technician. He needed to test all of his skills to fully satisfy himself.

He'd gathered much information from that one strike. He could now expedite his thought processes, so there would be no reason for him to try to put up a poker face now. So he came at Ghost again, though this time he made an attempt to actually look serious. He wanted Ghost to see it.

His body felt loose. Now his body was ready. He rushed the masked opponent, this time at the ready. His defenses were increased and as he came into striking distance, his feet dug into the soil securely as he made a guarded strike at Ghost's chest.

Ghost readied himself for the next blow bringing his arm down not actually catching the punch but letting it connect with his metal gauntlets. He didn't care how tough Roan would make himself appear to be he knew that blow would hurt as he pushed himself back dropped and swung his leg to sweep the man's legs out from under him.

He could see the change, slowly Roan was getting more into the fight it was clear he was still thinking to much but then while Ghost was a tactician as well he was more clear cut. He figured he had more military experience the Roan and the missions he had been sent on didn't allow for unfocused thoughts. They were get in, get the job done, get out. Plain and simple, at least on paper they were life never went how paper describes it though.

He followed his leg sweep up with a twist digging his hands into the earth and pushing up to follow with a raising kick towards his opponent.

Roan's hands connected, though not with the intended target. His hands clashed against strong metal, the shock making him step back. Well, this wasn't outside the bounds of his conjecture, but Ghost quickly followed up with a sweeping kick to break Roan's stance.

"Humph"

Roan's feet left the ground, one by one. The first on detached from the earth with Ghost's sweep. Recovery was not difficult. He just let his body flow with it, his center of balance shifting as he used a hand to maneuver himself out of the way. He managed to evade the first attempt, but Ghost was already setting up the next, shifting seamlessly from sweeping into a springboard rising kick.

He certainly was an impressive character to manage that kind of movement in that long robe. He was already working to compensate, though a bit late. Ghost may not have thought much about it, but Roan appreciated their back and forth. This isn't something that could be replicated by some simulation. This was real.

Roan threw a side kick and watched as the dark one slid across the greenery. Ghost's torque combined with the momentum from his spring and the force of Roan's kick made the hit all the more potent.

Ghost grunted just a little as the kick connected sending him back a few feet. The raising kick had been a risky move as he knew it would have left him open afterwards and was surprisingly glad to see Roan take advantage of it. He reset is stance preparing for the next go as he pushed forward having moved into a boxing stance throwing punches in quick succession. He could have increased his speed by removing the heavy metal from his arms or his legs. Unlike on his arms through the other weights on his body were hidden under his robes.

As Roan avoided the jabs Ghost switched again throwing a punch but pulling it back early moving right into a spinning roundhouse.

Roan went spiraling in the air until he handed and barreled some more before stopping. Nice one, he thought to himself as he rubbed a bit of soil off his chin. Clearly, he wasn't one you could let your guard down at any moment with. "Well.." he began as he came at Ghost again, "Might as well see if I can still manage this." His null expression instantly changed as he gritted his teeth and arched his eyebrows. His balled fist began moving further ahead of him towards his target. The father he had hated had left him a memento he only used once.

What a terrible father, forcing his five year old son to endure intense training like he did and then shipping him off to some academy, like it was natural. That damn military nut. When he'd learned the move, he instantly put it into practice against his father, who he managed to catch off guard that day. It sounded like something silly, but for whatever reason, he felt the urge to experiment with it again.

There was a slight breeze rolling through again. Perfect. His fist penetrated the air, the force of the punch digging into it, carrying it towards his target. That fearsome move he'd only managed once. He didn't care who Ghost was, this fist was not to be looked down upon. The fist raced towards the mask. He imagined it was made of some impressive material, but that didn't mean he was fully protected at all.

The gauntlet reached out quickly, catching his hand and tilting his own hand just before impact. Roan's fist ran right by Ghost's head. Even better that he could catch such a move seemingly without much effort. However, the pull allowed for his knee to connect with the dark one's ribs, and as he arched forth, Roan took him into a head lock and brought him to the ground, where he put on a full body submission hold.

It seemed his grappling skills hadn't deteriorated much. He didn't hold him for long since he knew Ghost would eventually escape, which would probably be bad, and he wanted to try out some other things, so he released him and backed off a bit.

Ghost remained on the ground for a moment before he pushed off flipping himself and landing on his feet. He readjusted his hood before moving in again. This time he was moving faster then before, he didn't have superhuman speed but for a "normal person" he was pretty fast on his feet.

He threw a left punch letting it get deflected as he continued his motion spinning around and behind Roan grabbing his arm pinning it behind the other man. With another motion he wrapped his arm around Roan's neck and kicked his legs out from under him using his neck as a pivot point to flip him over smashing him down onto his back before taking a few steps back.

"I know you have another class today...I do not wish to leave you too battered to teach"

"Oh, well if you feel that way, shall we wrap things up then?" Roan spoke as he got up. He really wanted to continue, but it might be for the best that they finish soon. Like his sparing partner said, he does have a class to teach. Roan shook off the grass that stuck to his clothes. Ghost had provided an excellent match and he was appreciative of this. So out of respect, he decided to come at him with a strong finish.

Roan changed stances, one lending for more flexibility in movement before closing the gap again. He threw a punch straight down the middle, which Ghost countered nicely, slapping he hand down to make way for his own fist. So it seemed his opponent knew this style as well. He countered back before backing off.

They each placed their hand against the other's, waiting to see who would make the first move. Just a subtle movement was all it took to set off a chain of attacks between the two. Pak sao into a back hand, countered by lap sao. Their hands danced back and forth in a series of traps. Speed traps, combinations, parries and counters came in quick succession. Locked in so close that their elbows seemed glued together, foot action even came into play, low kicks, guards and stop-hits.

Roan slowly began grinning. This was the best workout, the best match he'd had. It felt good being able to go back and forth with someone so skilled and versatile. This would be the end though. As it was, they were at an even stalemate.

They broke off from each other. "Sorry for having you indulge me like this and thank you. You're quite a terrifying opponent, you know? Your skill and wisdom showed throughout our entire match."

Ghost smiled behind his mask facing his opponent.

"I don't know about wisdom but I thank you for complimenting my skill. I must admit compared to the other teachers you seem much more capable in a fight"

Ghost gave a slight bow to show the end of the spar but also as a small sign of growing respect.

It was more then clear to Ghost that Roan hadn't gone all out, but that was fine since he hadn't either. After all the last thing the school needed on its first official day was for two of its teachers to wage all out war in the back yard.

"Enjoy the rest of your afternoon"

With that he turned on his heel and began to walk away back towards where the Danger Room was held