Welcome to Gaia! ::

The tail Neko now sported gave a flick, Riyo's eyes staring back into Blade's. He wouldn't be able to keep this form for too much longer, he could already feel the strain it was having on his body. When Blade asked 'Riyo' what she was doing there Neko merely shrugged moving a little closer.

The black shadows he commanded began to drip from his fingertips in a way he had seen Riyo's power do before. Pooling on the ground the substance looked as if it might take form but it was merely the distraction. The shadows still on Neko's hand hardened into the claws he had used before as he leaped forward slashing at Blade's chest, his form giving away slightly as his eyes shifted to a swirling chaos of gray.

Neko grinned as he made contact but was a little late in moving back as the dagger ran across his side creating a nice sized gash. Jumping back from Blade he pressed a hand to the wound, his form finally shifting from Riyo's back to his own. "And you have rather good aim." He grunted putting pressure on the wound to keep it from bleeding. It would heal soon enough but he wasn't sure if he should let on how bad of a wound it was. The others had seen his regenerative abilities to some extent but had never questioned him. Riyo was really the only one....that probably knew what he really was...or at least had enough information to make a pretty good guess.

The black matter on his free hand lengthened as his claws ran across one another, an odd grinding sound being made from the contact. From there he waited giving himself time to heal and to see what Blade would do next. Surely the thief was wearing down, he didn't know him to have regenerative capabilities, though he was about as into sharing as Neko was.

Neko's eyes watched Blade intently as the thief made his way back toward him. When he suddenly darted forward Neko was ready to block the dagger, bringing up his shadow covered hand to collide with the object. It wasn't until Blade started shifting did he realize that the dagger wasn't the one intended to strike. Trying to leap to the side Neko still managed to get caught with the sword, the tip of the blade slicing his pants open from knee to mid thigh leaving a shallow cut.

With a hiss Neko looked down at the wound. While it wasn't sever it still wasn't comfortable to move around with. "You're pretty good too." He commented finally. Maybe a little too good. "I think we may need to end this soon or risk the others thinking we got in a brawl." Pulling his hand away from his side he looked to see that the cut was holding itself closed. There was that at least.

Turning his attention back to Blade, Neko smiled. "So what do you say...next strike wins?" His clawed fingers struck against one another as he awaited an answer.

"Alright." Neko flexed his hand a few more times, his energy concentrating around his arm until the length of his claws were nearly double. It was like knives were extending off each finger, ready to strike. Testing out his leg he put a little pressure on it. The wound still burned and there was a fair amount of blood trailing down and staining his pants. Hitsu was going to be so pleased when they got back.

Looking up at Blade with his now icy cool gaze, Neko stood almost statue still for a moment before darting forward. He had a fair amount of speed but his injured leg made him lag a little. This was a one shot deal though so hopefully all would go well as he drew back his hand ready to strike at Blade's shoulder.

His attack had missed but Neko wasn't down for the count just yet. Seeing Blade swing up toward him he continued with his momentum and spun out of the way just barely avoiding the attack. His other hand balling into a first he stepped forward to strike again, this time aiming for Blade's head. Unfortunately he stepped with his injured leg and that left him to falter only slightly but enough to cause a problem.

Once his attack had missed again Neko was about to side step but suddenly found a leg to his already injured side. Feeling the wound that hadn't quite healed yet rip back open he gave a grunt as he stumbled back, hand clutching at the gaping cut. "I guess that means you won." He said with effort putting pressure on the wound. Giving Blade a few seconds to recollect himself Neko held out his free hand as the black mass retreated leaving his normal flesh. "Good fight."

"Y..yeah." Though Neko wouldn't go back. Not just yet. Following the wall back to the gate, trying to avoid limping, he looked back at Blade. "I'm not really all that bad off. I may just get a bath and catch you later. Think you'll be alright on your own?"