The bright lights glittered as Amaya entered the arena in a clean, stiff uniform and took her place next to her competitors. The semifinal and final competitions in kickboxing were first, followed by judo, kendo, and finally, karate. The kickboxing matches went by in a blur because Amaya's mind was elsewhere: on her conversation with Ethan. Although she had known Ethan for years, her friendship with Mori felt much more sincere, despite the fact that they had known each other for less than a year and despite her deep attraction to him. Things felt so much easier with Mori than they did with Ethan. She got the feeling that Mori cared more deeply about his friends, whereas Ethan cared more about himself. Mori was selfless, whereas Ethan was selfish. As she contemplated these things, Satoshi entered the ring for his first judo match.
Satoshi was smiling as he shook hands with his opponent. He laughed genuinely as they shared a few words. Satoshi had such a different personality than his older brother, but they also shared similarities. A deep respect for others was one of them. Amaya was happy to see Satoshi win, and even happier to see him dominate the final match.
As the arena was set up for the kendo semifinals and finals, Amaya's eyes searched the room for the Host Club. She found them easily and waved, smiling when they cheered and waved back. Haruhi was sitting in between the twins, while Tamaki was sitting behind them, looking slightly grumpy for some reason. Kyoya was writing on a tablet, making no effort to be engaged in the tournament. Go figure. However, one member was missing. Honey wasn't sitting with them. Amaya's eyes swept the arena, looking for the familiar mop of blond hair. She finally found him sitting with Yorihisa and another man who bore resemblance to both Mori and Satoshi, most likely their father.
Why did I not consider that Yorihisa-sama would be here? she silently scolded herself. He would see her compete soon enough. There's going to be a showdown today, in one way or another, she thought.
The first kendo semifinal was Ethan's. As she watched him during his match, she couldn't help but notice he was antsy. He was quick, and that ultimately won him the battle, but he wasn't calm enough, and his form wasn't grounded. This wasn't totally unexpected. Ethan was the type of person that switched from martial art to martial art, picking up skills quickly and collecting them, rather than truly understanding what the art form was about. During their karate lessons at the dojo in San Francisco, he never truly listened to the lectures about mind and body like Amaya had. Instead, he wanted to be faster, stronger, and better in skill and physicality alone.
Mori was, in comparison, a complete rock. He was solid during his fight, but also quick. Amaya could hardly see his strikes. She could, however, tell that his breath was controlled. Each movement and each strike were centered and combined body, mind, and spirit. There were no superfluous movements. It was clear from his form that he had dedicated a large portion of his life to the kendo art form, and the match was his from the beginning.
The final match came down between Ethan and Mori, as Amaya knew it would. She knew Mori was superior in skill and speed, but she also knew that Ethan had come back to win fights from larger disadvantages than this. It could be anyone's match, and the next three points would tell the story.
As soon as the referee called the start, Ethan moved first and quickly got a point. However, his next attempts were skillfully blocked and Mori got a point, too. As the faced each other in a stare down, Ethan went in for a strike. Mori shifted his stance and the strike landed, but not where it was originally intended. Ethan, thinking he had gotten a point, let his guard down for an instant. Mori took this opportunity to strike him back, combining intent with breath and movement. All this had happened in a blink of the eye. Most viewers in the audience would have missed it, but Amaya knew who had won. As the flags went up in Mori's favor, she jumped up, ecstatic. The match had been truly a delight.
Ethan ripped off his mask, beginning to argue with the judges. He didn't understand why the point had gone to Mori when he had struck first in an area that should have counted. When the judges dismissed him, he turned away, angry, and refused to shake hands or bow to his opponent.
"Did you see that?" he asked as he stormed toward her on the sidelines. Mori had taken off his mask and was watching them. In fact, the entire arena was watching Ethan as he stormed away. "That's bullshit!" he cried. "I can't believe you like that guy!"
"I did see that," she said, turning red out of embarrassment and anger, "and the point clearly went to Mori-senpai. You missed."
"I didn't miss! I got him on the shoulder!"
"The edge of his shoulder, and you were aiming for the head. Kendo is different," she began, lecturing him as Mori had lectured her the week before. "All strikes combine mind, body, and spirit. That's why they teach you to kiai with each strike. A point comes not with the strike alone, but instead combined with the intention of the strike, when all three are truly in sync. That's why the fight didn't end in your favor."
He turned away from her, angry.
"Ethan!" she said, disappointment welling up inside of her.
"What!" he said, agitated.
"Are you really going to end the match that way?" She gestured toward Mori. "Are you really going to disrespect him like that?"
Ethan's anger got the best of him. He walked up and got in Amaya's face, grabbing her uniform by her shoulder and pulling her toward him. The crowd in the arena watching them gasped audibly. He wasn't hurting her, but she knew what he was doing. He was trying to make her submit to him. In response she grabbed his wrist with her hand, finding a pressure point that she could manipulate just in case things got out of hand.
"You don't trust me?" he asked with mock laughter.
"You never wanted to play by the rules," she replied. "You're not a troublemaker, Ethan. But you have to accept that things won't work out the way you want them to. Sensei always reminded us to be flexible, like bamboo." She squeezed the pressure point and she felt the hand gripping her uniform loosen. She grabbed his thumb and pulled it backwards, manipulating his joints with a few quick movements and pushing him onto his knees. He grunted in surprise and pain. Before he had a chance to react, she let go.
"You had the opportunity to fight one of the best, if not the best, kendo practitioners in Japan. He also happens to be my friend. If you really cared for me you wouldn't act so disgraceful. Go home."
He glared at her for a second before turning to leave, not even giving Mori a second glance. Amaya turned to look at Mori, meeting the grey eyes that had not left her since Ethan stormed from the stage. She bowed deeply to him, with the respect that Ethan should have had. She wondered what he thought of her American 'friend.' Mori bowed in return and applause broke out as everything returned to normal.
Amaya turned away and sat down, needing to refocus for the kata competition. As one of the four finalists, she would need to perform her very best. She also wanted to perform well for her father. Although he didn't accept her, she knew he would be watching her closely. She would surprise him with her skill.
Body, mind, and spirit, she thought to herself as she entered the stage. She performed her first kata, Unsu. She could see her invisible opponents coming at her, being subdued by her movements. Her breath, kiais, and strikes were all one with each other, and her starched uniform made the sharp noises she had been hoping for as she performed each quick strike. On her jump into the air near the end of the kata, she gained more air than she had ever done in practice and seemed to hang there before dropping into a perfect lunge. She hardly heard the applause as she finished.
Her second kata began. As she breathed in and out slowly during the salutation, the arena around her disappeared. She found herself in a thick jungle and she was waiting, listening. The jungle around her was alive with sound, but all faded into the background as she listened for the sounds she wanted to hear. She circled, patiently, poised with great balance, listening. Suddenly, a noise. The rustling of the underbrush, coming from behind her. She pivoted, moving quickly, following the direction of the sound she had been waiting for. It changed direction, so did she. She was alive with hunger and the hunt was on, rapid. Then, silence. Just like that, she lost the direction of the sound. She paused, alert like a cat, waiting while stalking her prey. The moment she saw movement in the brush, she moved. Strike! She caught and wounded her prey, roaring loudly as her claws made impact. Strike, this one quick, an attack to stun. Strike…the final blow, finishing her chase. She circled slowly, confirming the success of her hunt. She was the tigress, and she had claimed her prize.
The jungle faded and she was back in the arena standing before the judges. She was complete serenity as she bowed, leaving the stage.
"Amaya-senpai, that was incredible!" She turned in time to see Satoshi walking over to her.
"Thank you, Satoshi-sama, and congratulations on your win! So far it's two for two with the Morinozuka boys. I'm very impressed!"
"Well thanks! You're nothing to scoff at, either. I can see why he likes you."
"Excuse me?"
"Oh! Um…I mean, I can see why you two get along so well. You and Taka-bro."
"Your brother gets along with everyone," she deflected, smiling. She thanked Satoshi once more and went to her seat, watching the final competitor before they announced the scores. She looked to the area where the Host Club was sitting. They were all chatting among themselves. She then turned toward her father, and noticed that Mori was now sitting with them at Honey's side. They were talking to each other. Her father, in comparison, looked stoic and angry.
"Winner of the women's kata competition: Amaya Matsura!"
She hardly heard the announcement; she was caught up in the way that her father's eyes hardened at the sound of her name. Honey had audibly cheered, which probably made things worse. She did not dwell on that fact long, however, because the kumite competition was calling her attention.
She had two matches, both against girls from Lobelia Academy. She was almost certain that she would meet Rin Sendo in the final, if she won this next match. She took the opportunity to watch Rin's match before her own semi-final. Rin was tall and powerful, though she lacked the speed that Amaya had. She wasn't large, but she was bulky and used her stature and her weight to her advantage. She also had a long reach, which made it easy for her to score quick points. Her opponent put up a good fight, but the power behind Rin's strikes quickly wore her down. Rin was attacking to cause pain, not to score points. It was definitely not a game to her. Amaya took note, wondering what strategy she should take.
Normally during kumite bouts, she had someone in the corner coaching her and cheering her on, be it her sensei or Ethan. Now, she was alone, and didn't have someone to discuss strategies with. She watched as Rin's final strike, an ax kick, caught the side of her opponent's head. Although they were required to wear headgear, the strike looked awfully painful, and the girl was clearly dazed.
Amaya turned away, putting on her gloves and jumping back and forth, ready for the next fight. She entered the stage with an opponent who was small, yet quick. Amaya, although fast, was not ready for the quick barrage of hits she sustained. This girl's strategy was to combo as many strikes as she could. Amaya picked up her own speed as she caught the other girl's rhythm, evading some strikes while blocking others, but choosing not to attack. Eventually her opponent would have to slow down, so beginning on the defensive wasn't a terrible idea. She would pick and choose her points, rather than let lucky strikes decide the round. Her first moment came as the Lobelia girl tried a combination, but dropped her guard. Amaya evaded a punch and placed the girl off-center. A well-placed sidekick got her the point. The next moment came as a block and a back knuckle to the temple, while her final point was a wheel kick that she feinted, transitioning into a heel hook to the groin. She had won the opportunity to face Rin.
As she paused to drink from her water bottle before her next fight, Mori approached her.
"Amaya, be careful," he said, speaking her name for the first time.
"I will be. I have been. This next fight will be no different."
"Rin Sendo is not an easy opponent. She is known for fighting unfairly. She is part of the Sendo syndicate, the daughter of a mob boss here in Tokyo. She will stop at nothing to crush you. You should throw the fight."
Once again, Amaya was shocked at Mori's words.
"I will not throw this fight. I don't fear failure, Mori-senpai. And I will especially not back down while my father is watching."
"Amaya—"
"Gotta go, Mori-senpai."
Amaya smiled at Mori, trying to show him that she was confident. She only wished that he had confidence in her.
Rin's eyes followed her as she entered the ring. She had this way of looking nonchalant, yet menacing at the same time.
Fighting unfairly…what does Mori mean? she thought. She's good enough that she doesn't need to fight unfairly.
They bowed to each other, paying respects. As the match began, they squared off, not rushing in to attack each other. Amaya moved first, feinting an attack to Rin's temple, trying to throw her off balance. In return, a few jabs were thrown her way, but she easily blocked or evaded them. Rin moved in closer and grabbed Amaya, which was an illegal move according to the rules, however the referee didn't call it or stop the match. In the split second that Amaya had hesitated, waiting for the call, Rin had moved in and flipped her, taking her to the ground as in a judo match. Rin threw a knee into Amaya's stomach, followed by elbowing her in the head, and still the referees didn't call the match. Amaya, in all her years of practice, had never seen or experienced rules in a kumite match that would allow this behavior. In this match, however, she was playing by Rin's rules. As Rin continued to pummel fists toward Amaya's head, Amaya's training in ground situations kicked in. While trying to protect her face with one hand, she pushed against Rin's knee with the other, throwing her off balance and flipping her onto her back. As Amaya mounted, ready to give Rin payback, she heard the referee calling them to stop, angrily pulling Amaya off of Rin. End round one, and the point was given to Rin. Rin smirked at Amaya, who was starting to feel the beginning of a black eye forming.
As Amaya stood, breathing hard, she noticed that her head was pounding. She ignored it, instead cracking her neck and preparing for the next round. The rules of the match still apparently applied to Amaya, even though Rin was exempt.
"Not going to give up yet?" Rin taunted her.
"You don't know me," said Amaya.
The second round began. Rin threw the first kick, which Amaya blocked with her knee, extending her leg out for a groin shot. Rin caught Amaya's foot, once again grabbing illegally, and twisted, shoving Amaya face first, once again, to the ground. Instead of following up with more attacks, however, Rin stepped onto the inside of Amaya's knee, taking Amaya's ankle and twisting it in a direction it wasn't supposed to go. A sickening 'crack' coincided with Amaya's scream. As she lay on the ground, trying to cope with the pain, the referee called the point in Rin's favor. One more point and Rin would win the match.
"I think it's in your best interest to forfeit," Rin said.
I will never forfeit to a cheater, Amaya thought. Why isn't anyone else jumping up here to stop this madness? She glanced to where her father had been sitting and noticed that no one was there. Not Yorihisa, not Satoshi, Yasuchika, Honey, or Mori. Their absence made her nervous. She looked to the Host Club. Each member had a look of horror on his or her face, except for Kyoya, who was also missing.
Amaya gritted her teeth and pushed herself up with her arms, both to the crowd's amazement and her own. She could end this match, she knew, but it would take maximal effort and perhaps just a little bit of luck. As she stood on her good foot, she saw her other ankle, already swollen. She knew that there was a fracture somewhere in there. She gingerly put pressure on it, testing to see what sort of weight it could handle. It couldn't handle much. Still, she put herself in a fighting stance, waiting for the third round.
As the third round began, she stood still, almost pathetically helpless, and tears from the pain escaped her eyes.
"You're crying!" Rin stated, laughing. She wasn't in a hurry to finish the match, and continued to taunt Amaya.
"You're strong," she said, "but real strength is in having resources. You have no idea what a treat you're in for after this fight. Why don't you just forfeit? This is your last chance."
"You don't know me," Amaya replied through gritted teeth. It was the only way she could speak through the pain. What does she mean, after this fight?
"Your loss…seriously," Rin replied. She wasn't trying to be careful with hiding her next move, and Amaya was ready for it. As Rin went in for a wheel kick to the head, Amaya turned on her good foot away from the attack, jumping high and swinging her bad ankle into a rear heel hook. As it made contact with Rin's head, Amaya's vision became red as nerve signals shot up through her leg, into her spinal cord, and finally into all of the pain receptors of her brain. The next thing she knew, she was on all fours, breathing as her vision returned and the pain subsided. Rin was lying on the ground, face first, and unconscious. The ref hadn't called the match yet.
"She's out! Are you gonna call the match?" Amaya asked him, loudly and angrily.
Instead of replying, he began moving toward her, but before he could reach her a bunch of men came running toward the stage. Someone grabbed her around the waist and pulled her from a fight that was starting between the group and the referee. She cried out in pain as her injured foot slipped along the ground. The pain was unbearable, and she was losing track of her surroundings and what was going on around her, only knowing that someone was trying to carry her away. She saw Honey, Satoshi, and Yasuchika running to the stage. Honey threw a sidekick that stopped three men, who flew backwards and landed in a pile. She wanted to reach toward him, go toward him, but he was growing distant.
"Honey…" she said quietly, straining even to talk.
"Amaya, you're safe." A familiar voice, but her mind was losing its bearings and she couldn't recognize it.
She was being placed on a stretcher. She looked down toward her ankle, and saw her foot hanging limply.
She shook her head to and fro, trying to stay conscious, but people were fussing over her and she couldn't keep up with the bright lights and the faces and the sounds. All she could feel was red-hot pain when some movement jostled her ankle. Someone put something over her nose and mouth and the pain began to subside as she took more and more breaths. Finally, everything went dark.
A/N: Ah thank you all so much for following and favoriting! It really makes me so happy that you like this story!
FYI, the two katas that Amaya performs are pretty amazing. I can't put links in here, but you can go to YouTube and then paste the remainder of the link. I imagine Unsu, the Shotokan kata, as performed by Michael Milon: /watch?v=PZKsYV22ryM
Amaya's second kata, Tiger Hunt, is AMAZING when performed well, but is not a super popular kata and I can't find great videos that do it justice. The best one I can find is here: /watch?v=KV4IdrGmmEA but it is interpreted with Chinese fans as weapons (which is pretty damn cool in it's own right).
Thanks JJofthehex, Nightscarlett and Mamabug (always!) for the reviews: I really enjoyed writing this chapter and I hope I did the fighting scenes justice. I can see them play out in my head, but it's a little hard to describe as accurately as I can picture them. With all the drama that went on here, I'm excited to slow down and give you the next chapter. I think Chapter 8 is one of my favorites so far! I'll try not to make you wait too long!
