Thank the gods for solid ground. Finally off the plane, Aoi stretched her arms out. Being in a plane with so many martial artists sizing each other up and trying to feel out the competition was just suffocating. It was a surprise a fight to didn't break out from all the side eyes being thrown around. "Mm, finally free!" Aoi at last could take a moment to stretch, get her bearings together, maybe walk around the city for bit and-
"Alright Aoi, the exhibition match will be tonight at 10 in the Jian Du Gym. Make sure you're there an hour before the match to change and look presentable." Apparently work.
Aoi's cheerfulness vanished with just one statement. One day. She just wanted one day to spend in a new city, and despite trying she couldn't hiding her disappointment for Smith's news, giving a glaring look at her manager. "Oh, don't look at me like that Aoi, I told you you'd have an exhibition match when we arrived."
Aoi let out a huff, but said nothing more. She wasn't about to start whining about something she knew was coming. Still, a day to get use to her new surroundings would had been nice. She shook her head, taking a calming breath. "Very well then,"
That's my little warrior!" Smith patted Aoi on the back, giving a rather cheeky grin.
"Just don't humiliate our dojo, sis." Kuro appeared behind the two, just getting off the plane herself.
"I won't," Aoi said. "Just make sure you follow your own advice." The two glared at each other for a moment before making a brisk walk toward the city with Smith catching up to them. Evening bout or not, Aoi was at least going to take some time to look around. She had a good few hours until 10.
As Smith said a few months back, the place really did have rings and cameras scattered everywhere. The city park had a few rings defined by white lines in the grass, the downtown square had outdoor boxing rings in a few corners, several bars and restaurants had cages and pit arenas, of course the gyms and dojos had camera's just about everywhere inside as Aoi checked out a few places. The whole city looked like it was built to host battles, and as she, Smith, and Kuro walked about there were whispers and gossip about her all around.
"So that's the Reversal Princess, huh?"
"I hurt she broke a fighter's leg in South Korea."
"Really? I hear she destroyed a fighter in a match after she drew blood."
"Isn't she called the Demoness of Kyoto in Japan? She doesn't look so tough given the title."
"I saw some of her matches, she's pretty brutal in the ring."
"She nearly sent a challenger to the hospital once. Did you see that interview? She's ruthless."
"Heh, can't wait to get a piece of her when the tournament starts."
Aoi let out a breath. Why me? She kept a straight face despite the gossip being thrown around, but it was hard to just stand there and take it. Smack talk every now and then before and after a fight was normal to deal with, but to hear all this gossip right in front of her as if she couldn't hear it…
"Hey, don't let it get to you, Aoi." Aoi turned around, seeing Akira… in a red t-shirt and jeans. Again, it was always a shock to see him in casual attire, but seeing him was a relief.
"Mr. Yuki, what a surprise." Smith walked right over to Akira, giving a grin. "Don't tell me you're stalking us now."
"Oh, not at all ma'am." Akira walk around to Aoi, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Just looking out for a friend is all."
"Well that's rather kind of you. I wish all men could care for a friend as well as y-"
Aoi soon her throat, loud enough to make Smith take a step back.
"Yes, well thank you for looking out for me Akira." Aoi gave Smith a glare before turning to him. "It's still hard to hear, though." Akira patted Aoi on the back.
"A mind clouded by those kinds of thoughts will just make you hesitate in a fight." He said.
"I know, I know…" Between all the fights she had up till now and all the harsh words she's had to deal with, this was nothing. "Still, I'd rather not be seen as a demon."
"Too late for that," Kuro said, chiming in.
"Quiet you,"
Akira laughed, placing a hand on both Aoi and Kuro. "Haha, you to really are like water and oil some days." Aoi couldn't help but feel Akira push the two apart while latching onto them, probably feeling their killing intent toward each other. "Anyway, just do as you've always done Aoi. That's all you can really do as fighter. If rumors happen, they happen. They only come from people that don't know your path."
Aoi brushed off Akira's shoulder and gave him a grin. "Wow, look who's quoting Grandpa Yuki, guess he really did turn you into an old-fashioned warrior."
"Hey now," Akira's face went red, and Aoi giggled.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding." Aoi paused. "Actually, I think you and Yuka would be good friends."
"That karate practitioner you fought?"
"That's right. You two are both complete fight-addicts that quote from far too many movies and manga."
Akira's face went deadpan, and he flicked Aoi's forehead. "Okay, it's a lie and you know it Aoi Umenokoji. I do not sound like an anime character."
"Oh?" Aoi took a few steps back before stomp the ground, mimicking Akira's Bājíquán stance and shouting as passionately as she could, "The time has come. Let's go!" Aoi then performed an elbow strike at the air. "You're ten years too early!" She performed another stomp, then a double palm strike. "You gotta fire me up more than that!" Aoi held her stance for a moment longer before standing up, looking back at Akira. He was staring completely wide-eyed. "Heh, I think I've prove my point that-" Aoi was about continue, but things… got quiet. The entire street was silent in fact, and it was fairly bustling awhile ago. She looked around. Everyone was staring at her. The other fighters, the residents of the town, some even back away. And Aoi's face went completely red. She looked to Smith, who had got some considerable distance away from them, innocently looking around like she wasn't involved. And Kuro… Kuro was as red as Aoi from what she could make out, crouched on the sidewalk and facing away from Aoi with her ears covered.
"Well…" Smith soon came forward with her best professional smile. "Our little warrior's acting ability aside, let's head to everyone's quarters." Smith walked around of the group and they followed with little said between them.
The apartment complex they would all be staying at had rather… small rooms. No, to call them small was an understatement. Aoi and Kuro's room was literally a bunk bed with just enough space to get in bed with a door to the left revealing the shower and bathroom. The realization shocked her. It shocked Akira. It shocked Kuro, and all three looked at Smith with some hope of an explanation.
"It's… small." Aoi said.
"You should see some of apartments I had on business trips…" Smith muttered, giving a rare pout before clapping her hands together. "Anyway! Most of your time will be outside here, so just think of it as a sleeping base. Both you and Kuro will be sleeping here specifically."
"Okay…" Neither Aoi nor Kuro made objections, and Akira just nodded along with them.
"Great," Smith pulled two folded slips of paper and two bracelets out from her suit. "Here's two maps of the city and score bracelets. The tournament can only provide the barest of basics on a spending level, so try looking around and getting a job of some kind if you can. I'm sure you'll find something." Both girls took the items and nodded. "Excellent, just remember Aoi, exhibition match is tonight."
"Right," Aoi nodded.
"Oh… and… one last thing girls. The big wigs at HQ were having trouble implementing the whole point system, so there's going to be some rule changes to the tournament."
"Really?" Part of Aoi was glad she didn't have to worry about that, but… Please tell me it's nothing as complicated than what was originally in place. "What are the new rules."
"Nothing too taxing," Smith explained. "They'll be an announce tomorrow after your exhibition match, but the short version is consecutive loses will get you kicked out after a certain point."
Sounds easy enough, but…
"Anyway, I'll be taking my leave. See you nine Aoi." With that, Smith left, and the two sister and Akira were left.
"Well, I have about an hour before nine, so I think I'll just shower and get changed."
"I'll be sure to see you're match Aoi." Akira said.
"You better,"
Aoi's uniform got a bit of an update since her last match. As much as she liked the old look, she didn't want to leave half her body exposed, so she traded in her kimono top for a navy blue, sleeveless gi with black hand wraps, and shin guards under blue hakama. It wasn't as showy as she liked, but it'd be more protective for sure. She looked at herself in the mirror, putting her hair into a ponytail. Okay, I think I can work with this. She doubled checked her outfit, making sure everything fit properly. "Oh, right." She grabbed her wristband and placed it on her right wrist. It… clashes, but I'll work with it.
"You ready Aoi?" It was Smith.
"Yes, one moment." Aoi opened the door, seeing Smith with a slight frown.
"Aw, I liked the old version better." She said.
"And I like not worrying about seeing heavy bruises on my body." Aoi countered.
"True enough." Smith began to walk toward the ring, Aoi followed. "General rules apply here, so just try your best and show no mercy!"
"Right…" Aoi frowned, almost pouting.
"Hey, none of that now Miss Villainess. Like I said, people really do like you. Just, you know, not your opponents and rivals." That probably would have cheered Aoi up a little if it wasn't for the fact that all her rivals and opponents would be everywhere in the city.
"I can clearly see that." If Smith noticed Aoi's deadpan tone she didn't bother to show it.
"Anyway, onto the match!" The Jian Du Gym was actually nearby the apartment complex Aoi and Kuro were staying at. The gym wasn't too large, but it was a filled the brim with fighters and spectators alike. Aoi looked around the building as she made her way to the ring. Akira and Kuro were in the first row and Smith soon took her place next to them as Aoi approached the ring. The ring was a basic boxing ring, nothing she hadn't seen before. As she walked in the announcer gave her name, country, height and weight, the standard thing she was used to, and then announced her opponent.
Hokuto Mizukami, another Japanese fighter with a background in Kobujutsu. And around Aoi's height and weight too. Hokuto… that name sounds familiar. The woman walked into the ring, wearing a white standard gi and blue hakama, her hair was tied up in a bun as well. What stood out to Aoi was the naginata on her back and the fans at her side. She had weapons on her, and Aoi was unarmed. I didn't know she was skilled in weapons… Already Aoi was forming a plan. Thankfully aiki-jujutsu and aikido had disarming techniques, so she just ha dot get those weapons out of Hokuto's reach. The only issue would be actually getting close. Aoi had a feeling Hokuto wouldn't be foolish enough to let her do that. This was going to be a tough match.
The two walked to the center of the ring and the announcer explained the rules. It was the standard rules she had already known. Note biting, eye-gouging, groin attacking, things like that. Just about everything else was legal and the battle would go until knockout or submission.
Neither woman said a word as the explanation concluded, only taking their stances and waiting for the bell. Once it rang, the fight was on.
To Aoi's surprise, Hokuto didn't immediately pulled her weapons. She got in close, slamming her elbow into Aoi's stomach and push her back with a kick before taking the naginata out. Hokuto slammed the blade of her naginata down, and Aoi rolled out of the way, just barely missing it. From the ground, Aoi rolled forward and swept at Hokuto's legs, tripping her. From there she hopped back up and kicking her weapon out of the ring. One less thing to worry about. She grabbed onto Hokuto's foot, preparing to twist it, but Hokuto kicked Aoi off and hopped right back up.
Aoi took a moment to collect herself before ducking down and kicking at Hokuto's shin. Hokuto staggered forward, clutching her leg and Aoi came back up and kneed her in the stomach, followed by slamming her elbow down on Hokuto's head while she was doubled over. Hokuto hit the mat hard, giving small huffs on pain. She got on her hands, but Aoi grabbed one, held it up, twisted hard, and stomped on Hokuto's head, knocking her down again. Again, Hokuto got on her hands and knees to stand, and again Aoi stomped down on her.
Hokuto didn't get up again, instead grabbed Aoi's ankle and pulling her down. She then got up, still holding onto Aoi's ankle and twisted it hard. Aoi let out a cry of pain despite herself, and Hokuto flipped her to her stomach with her leg still in Hokuto's grasp. Next, Aoi felt the sting of a brutal single leg boston crab. She gritted her teeth, refusing to let out a cry of pain. She made a desperate crawl to the ropes in hopes of a rope break, but Hokuto refused her, pulling her back to the center while maintaining the hold. Desperate, Aoi kicked out her free leg, trying to buck free. The first buck loosened the hold, and the second buck freed her. She was up quickly, but Hokuto grabbed Aoi by the shoulder and dug her hand right into Aoi's stomach. It felt like a spear was stabbed into her, Aoi coughed out saliva, staggering back and falling, breathing heavily. The match was called after that.