learn and learn well

Hattori followed the boy's lead, acknowledging his chuff with a grumble of his own, low and deep in his throat. The cat surged forward, the end of the bamboo jabbing into its chest, keeping it at arms length as it thrashed, having effectively pinned itself into a corner and now it was being held back by bamboo it didn't have much leeway to move, let alone defend itself, Hattori moved closer, slowly, watching Akito's grip on the bamboo, seeing if he had the strength to maintain it, would it begin to shake before too long? The cat was a fierce opponent and it shifted, Hattori matched the movement, moving so that it couldn't back away from the press of the bamboo stick. Just a little longer, a little closer and then Hattori could strike. Could Akito hold out?

"Speech"