A/N: This took longer than I hoped. I've had other work piling on me recently. But, as you can see, I pushed aside some time to get this done. It's not an incredibly exciting chapter, or an incredibly long one either, but I hope that it satisfies all the same. Please leave constructive criticism as I'm still learning and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Street Fighter or any of its characters. This is simply the product of a fan with a penchant for adorable yuri pairings.
The previous night had been exhausting and the next day had been no easier. Very slightly, Karin's lips parted and a subdued yawn slid its way out of her mouth, the tips of her fingers shielding it politely. Her mind was racing all through the night, thoughts of Sakura and the plans for that evening had consumed her. The excitement and anxiety had built up like a ball in her stomach, continuously expanding in size as the day drew on and on.
The school day had been kinder to her nerves but only slightly. Sakura had to confirm a few fine details, but they didn't speak to each other at all after that. In these fleeting seconds, she felt her anxiety pitch but it was strongly remedied by her love for the coffee haired girl.
She tried to stay attentive in class but it was futile and while most didn't seem to notice her sudden withdrawn state, it was obvious that some had, as this new found silence fuelled the flames of scandal. Karin was never considered a loudmouth, but she always liked people to know she was present and so often volunteered in class. She only heard snippets of the rumours but they worried her all the same.
But now, the day was over and all she had to do was get ready for going out and then pick up Sakura. Her anxiety stomach ball had expanded to breaking point but again her excitement for the meal provided a welcome anaesthetic to her worries. She scanned the area for her transport, but it was nowhere to be seen as of yet. Streams of schoolgirls sped past her and down the hill but there was no sign of Shibazaki or her limo. As the pavement levelled out, her concentration was broken by a voice she did not want to hear.
"I don't know what you're up to…"
Karin twisted round sharply, her brown eyes locking in to owner of the voice. A schoolgirl stood leaning against the wall, her brown chocolate coloured hair reaching down her back. Karin's lips curled into a frown as she stood her ground. It was Kei.
"… but I'm onto you Kanzuki."
Panic struck Karin, but for only a second, then she grinned and folded her arms, so not to show weakness.
"I haven't a clue what you mean Kei, I'm not 'up' to anything."
Kei pushed herself off the wall and marched toward Karin, with venom in her eyes.
"You know exactly what I mean," snapped Kei "Your exit from the changing room, this meal, your 'spacing out' yesterday"
Karin was now face to face with her challenger, upon further inspection, there wasn't just venom in her eyes. She saw red markings underneath them, slightly moist.
"Have… you been crying?"
Kei glared at Karin in confusion before noticing the tell-tale markings, placing her hand over them and wiping them dry. The blonde girl sighed sympathetically.
"It seems we have a common interest"
Kei swiftly turned away, still rubbing her eyes. She continued to snap at her target though.
"Like hell we do, I know how shallow you are; I know exactly what you're interested in!"
"What?" Karin said, offended by these accusations "How dare you accuse me of being a pervert"
Karin clenched her fist whilst scowling at Kei. But she took Kei's words into consideration. Her actions in the changing room and last night lingered in her mind. Karin couldn't help but wonder if maybe Kei was right. Was lust the key factor in her affection for Sakura? These thoughts buzzed around her head like a swarm of wasps.
"I've known her longer than you have, I know her better than you do, I… love her for who she is!"
Then Karin remembered.
"You're wrong…"
"What?"
Karin stared at Kei sternly, with no superiority in her eyes, no hate, no loathing. But instead, for the first time, she was looking at Kei as an equal.
"I've fought with Sakura… many times. In a good fight, the fighter's emotions, thoughts and feeling are conveyed with every blow. One of the best ways to learn about a person is to fight them and listen to the emotion in those attacks. The amount of times I've fought Sakura… it makes me feel as if I've known her for decades."
Karin could see the tears begin to well up in Kei's eyes once again. Her expression riddled with confusion and grief.
"No! You're going to take her away from me… you're going to change her!"
"I won't change her; I wouldn't change anything about her!"
"But… but…"
The conversation came to an abrupt end when Karin's limo arrived. In the distance, Karin could see the familiar shape of Sakura. Turning back to Kei, she passed her a handkerchief and whispered into her ear.
"I promise not to change her…"
Kei faced Karin as she pulled open the door, before tilting her head back down toward the ground, solemnly, before wiping her face clean with the handkerchief. Sakura reached the bottom of the hill before Shibazaki pulled away and gave a friendly smile and wave. Karin mirrored the gesture before rolling up her window. A sigh escaped from her lips as she let her own tears roll down her cheek.
The words she had uttered were believable, but she wasn't convinced herself.
She wiped her tears away and shook her head. No, if she was to succeed tonight, like a true Kanzuki, she would have to stay focused and not let doubts enter her mind. Her speech was correct after all. The emotion and feelings conveyed through a fight had allowed Karin to truly get to know Sakura and although she was reluctant to admit it at first, she fell in love her because of that.
But she had also become a lot more perverted since then. She couldn't go a whole day without thinking about Sakura in a lewd or sexual way and deriving pleasure from that.
"You seem distressed Miss. Karin."
Karin turned her head sharply to the seat next to her. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't even realised Ishizaki sitting next to her, which was impressive considering his bulky stature. His usual neutral smile adorned his face. This familiarity gave Karin the courage to speak up.
"Ishizaki… If… you love someone, but aren't sure for what reason… and those affections might seem controversial… is it still right?"
Ishizaki contemplated for a moment before turning back to Karin, with his usual grin.
"Does she make you happy?"
Karin thought about this for a moment. Did Sakura make her happy? Well, she did enjoy their fights. When simply being around her, she felt excited, she felt nervous. But she felt elated as well. Like no one could ever believe.
"Yes," Karin said sternly.
"Then of course it's ok, That's all that matters."
Karin smiled softly and nodded.
"Thanks… "
She was about to stay quiet before something hit her.
"Wait, 'she'? How did you…"
Trailing off, she stared at Ishizaki, who just grinned and chuckled to himself. Karin continued to smile, and then resumed her silence.
She was lucky to have Ishizaki around.
