Hanabi was grateful that Karkat's Weapon form had so many sharp edges. The best way to protect both him and herself was to ensure that she kept those edges protecting areas of her body that Neji would most likely strike at. It didn't save her from all of them, but between blocking and dodging, she was spared the worst of it. At least, until his punch made impact. The pain of the blow sent her reeling back and her eyes watered involuntarily from the sting.

Gritting her teeth and trying to focus herself, she realized she hadn't managed to land a significant blow on Neji yet. The precious few openings she'd seen hadn't been viable options - she wanted to take him down without permanently crippling or killing him. She needed to strike his legs with her Soul Menace, and to do that, she'd need to fake out a genius from a clan known for its powers of observation.

But then, she was from the same clan as well, and self-preservation instincts could be used against a person. She shook off the blow as best she could and prepared herself. When she darted in, she raised Karkat as though she meaned to slash at Neji's chest with him, projecting that intent in her body language as best she could until she dropped low at the last second, striking with her palm at the back of Neji's knee. A surge of her soul wavelength pulsed into the joint, as well as into his calf and thigh. Springing up, she aimed a punch at his ribs and then hopped nimbly out of reach - for the moment at least.