A step back with her forward leg, a quick slice to Aftan's ankle and then Akane was on the offensive, moving as fast as she could. She had been sure to keep her left leg forwards and her sword to the right, allowing her to block or attack at a simple step change. The cut was not deep, but enough to cause a little pain whilst moving on it heavily, such as now in a fight. Aftan sprang back up and blocked the incoming short jab with a Tonfa only to find the steel never touched, Akane's katana already withdrawn and making a short flick into her upper thigh. Aftan moved her other Tonfa to intercept but it was again unneccesary as the sword withdrew along with Akane, several lightning steps backwards already being taken.
Aftan moved up, intending to rain a flurry of attacks upon Akane but the Kitsune sidestepped twice then forwards once, re-orentating the battle and forcing Aftan to pivot and meet the katana. A feint high was followed by a thrust low which turned into a quick uppercut slash which was then withdrawn as Aftan moved to block them in turn.
Aftan realised that Akane simply had the reach with her sword that her Tonfa's lacked. Another series of attacks came, a short cut to the left arm which was withdrawn into a jab at the throat which was in turn a feint for Akane to open Aftan up for the real attack. With one Tonfa up high defending her throat and another down and just off to the left, Aftan could not stop the withdrawn then thrusted right to left cut across her belly. The quick slash was light enough to slice Aftan's clothes and no more, katana meeting Tonfa at the finish of the stroke.
Akane looked into Aftan's eyes, nodding and stepping back, sheathing her katana after a finishing Salute. To Aftan's slight surprise, the Kitsune was panting. The battles had taken their toll on the Kitsune.
"You have a very very solid defence, Aftan. I nearly thought my feint wouldn't work. Sorry about your clothes and ankle, the ankle was deeper than I wanted but not severe. As for my last slash, that was a killing blow. Well, 1 out of 3 is not bad I suppose... But I still need practice." She admitted, respect obvious in her voice.