As soon as the second round started, Houjin was grinning. The thrill of ducking under the elements that were tossed at them always had been his favorite part of pro-bending. He was quite skilled at determining the biggest threat and backing them into a corner. This time, He quickly moved around his teammates while Ukik did the same. They never stayed in one spot during each round; this gave them some time to confuse their opponents, who would already be expecting one element and getting the other. 

Houjin was caught off guard by a water whip that extinguished his flame. He recovered and redirected the stream of fire that came at him.  

Ukik was quickly gaining more speed in delivering her attacks at their opponents. The attacks weren't enough to send the others flying into the marked off areas but they were enough to get them closer to the boundary line. She was hit by a clay disk that made her skid back into the area behind them. Houjin looked towards her for a moment before focusing on the attacks that came his way. He was pushed into a defensive style. He dodged some of the oncoming attacks before managing to find an opening for himself. 

Like in the first round, Houjin and Ukik worked together in redirecting attacks and taking turns in singling out one opponent. At the end of the round, the other team had leveled the playing field. 

[color=f9ad81]"We've got one more round."[/color] Houjin said as he glanced at the two girls. [color=f9ad81]"Let's make this last one count."[/color]

[color=8882be]"If we have to go into a tie-breaker let's allow Mara to do it." [/color]

[color=f9ad81]"Sounds like a plan to me."[/color] Houjin had no objections; so far Mara impressed the man greatly. 

Ukik would heal them after their match but the dull ache of his bruises made Houjin uncomfortable. He knew that he couldn't give up now. His teammates probably had as many bruises, if not more, than he did. He had no right to complain when they were feeling the same aches. 

This time the two decided on a different tactic - attacking separately. The other team was growing more frantic in their attacks, sending them every which way. They were getting restless. Ukik could tell that they were trying their hardest but there was a time when someone would try too hard. She focused on blocking and redirecting attacks rather than wasting her energy in sending her own their way. Houjin stopped midway through with turning up the heat (ha!). He began to do the same as Ukik. If they could get into a tie breaker then they would gladly let Mara take the center stage. 

The fluid motions of redirecting attacks came naturally to the two, they still blocked Mara as much as they could but they began to allow more attacks to go her way in favor of testing her. So far they were impressed with what they were seeing. 

[color=f9ad81]"This is relaxing, isn't it?" [/color]

[color=8882be]"Mhm. We just have to get to the tie breaker."[/color]

Once the round was called into a tie, the referee tossed the coin. [color=fff79a]"Blue team chooses."[/color] 

Unfortunately the opposing team was chosen. 

After a minute of deliberation they chose their element. [color=a36209]"Earth." [/color]

Ukik and Houjin stepped back to allow the center platform to rise. The cocky grin that the earthbender of the other team gave them was enough to know that they were confident. Ukik and Houjin had been taking some attacks for Mara; to the other team she would be easy pickings. But the two wished that Mara would win. 

If they didn't win this match, then they'd be happy that they had the chance to compete. Ukik didn't know if Houjin would let Mara on the team permanently if they lost but there was no doubt that the firebender was rooting for her. It had been a while since Ukik had seen Houjin so interested in a match, well mini-match.