Disclaimer: I don't own Dead or Alive, or any of it's Characters. Any branded devices in this story are copyright of their respective owners.

A/N: So, here I am. As I said last time, this chapter sucked total wastewater, so I rewrote it.

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Dead or Alive: Une Lutte de la Jeune Fille

By TropicalWeirdo

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Helena stared for a while. Brad staggered about on the spot. Then hiccuped. Then, the first blow hit her with shocking force. She flew backwards onto the sand, causing a large whoop to emit from the direction of Zack and Jann Lee. Helena let out a low growl. He got me by surprise! She got back up and hit Brad with a flying kick to the head. He staggered backwards accordingly, letting Helena hit him with a low punch that sent him flying into the air. Helena saw her chance, and took it. She hit him with everything her body could muster up. Punch, punch, punch, kick, throw! Brad's already unconcious body was sent flying backwards onto the ground as Helena pushed him over her shoulder. With a rushing noise, all of the surrounding noise suddenly came back to her.

"GO HELARIN!"

"...15.98 seconds. Will 14) Hitomi van Oelermann and 9) Bass Armstrong please proceed to the changing rooms."

Helena slowly walked towards the hall leading to the changing rooms, panting slightly. The next few minutes passed in a slight blur. After showering and changing into a simple white dress, she proceeded back to the rear patio, and through to the foyer. She could hear the crowd cheering from here. However, all of her senses stopped working as soon as she ran into none other than "Christie!"

"Hi."

"Whuh? Oh, um, uh, Hello."

"Nice job on Brad. He really pisses me off."

"...Really?"

"Yeah..."

A painfully awkward silence followed.

"...Helena? Are you listening to me?"

"What? ...Sorry..."

"It thought maybe we could have dinner together. Y'know, like...only us..."

Helena could feel herself blush at the thought of dinner alone with Christie.

But that didn't stop her from saying yes.

"I'll meet you here in the foyer at 9.00, alright?"

That's awfully late for dinner...Helena bit her lip as she watched Christie's elegant form slowly exit the room. What did she have planned? She knew anyone associated with Donovan should be treated with caution, but something about Christie made her feel strangely safe and comfortable, much unlike Donovan.

As if on cue, Donovan himself suddenly burst into the room, his bulky arm around an extremely uncomfortable looking Hitomi

"Helena! Just who I was looking for! I trust you have met miss Oldman?"

Helena didn't bother to correct him. Hitomi was too scared to notice his error.

"This young woman has some of the most impressive skills I have ever seen! You'd better watch out, Helena!" Helena attempted to smile, but failed miserably.

"Is something wrong?" He queried

"...No..." Replied Helena.

"Alright then. Could you possibly direct me to the location of Christie?"

Helena gestured towards the door.

"Thank you. I'll see you later." Donovan finally released his death-grip on Hitomi, who looked extremely relieved.

"Are you alright, Hitomi?"

"No...He's a scary man."

"I know what you mean..." Helena thought back to the second tournament. Bad, bad memories.

"So, Helena, are you busy tonight?"

Helena's pulse suddenly sped up greatly. Hitomi already had a reputation as a blabbermouth among the competitors, and Helena didn't want her to know about her little "Date" with Christie.

"..No.."

Hitomi shuffled about on her feet

"...Why do you ask?"

Hitomi bit her lip "I just wanted to get together tonight...to..uh...talk."

Helena studied Hitomi carefully. Her father had taught her how to tell when someone was lying when she was little. Hitomi seemed truthful enough. Maybe something bad had happened.

"Alright then, when?"

"How does 8.45 sound?"

Helena swore mentally. She knows! That little idiot is doing this on purpose!

"Well, actually, that's probably not the best-"

"PLEASE, HELENA!" Hitomi cried suddenly "I NEED YOUR HELP!"

Helena was slightly shocked at her sudden outburst. She could see tears forming in Hitomi's eyes.

"Alright, I'll be there."

"Thanks, Helena..." Hitomi shuffled towards her room in a very forlorn fashion.

This has to be some sort of scheme. Helena thought. I bet that Leifang put her up to this. I bet they know about me and Christie. Helena's mental train skidded to a halt.

"There's nothing to know about me and Christie!" She said aloud. "Nothing at all!"

"Nothing to know about you and who?" Came a voice from the stairs. Helena jumped backwards in shock.

"Who's there?" She said shakily.

"It's only me..." Hayabusa emerged from behind a statue. "...No need to be scared."

"What are you doing here? Your match isn't until later, and you aren't allowed to leave the arena until you fight..."

"Yeah..." Hayabusa scratched his head "...Ayane kinda...uh...got knocked out."

Helena raised her eyebrows. "Really? How? By whom?"

"Um...by me..." Hayabusa looked severely embarrased.

"I see. Just how did this happen?" Helena asked

"She started it!" Hayabusa cried. " It wasn't my fault! I was just defending myself but now I'm apparently expected to just get beaten up by every other girl 'cos if I don't they'll call me girl bashers!" He said this all very quickly. "Helena, do you think I'm a girl basher?"

Hayabusa's droopy expression and voice made Helena giggle. "No, I don't think you're a girl basher."

Hayabusa's face lightened up immediatley. "That's good. I was wondering, are you busy after dinner?"

The smile dropped off Helena's face like a ton of bricks. "What?"

"You know, around seven." Helena stared for a few moments. This had to be more than a joke. Leifang was putting them up to this. But then, wasn't Leifang avoiding Ryu like the plague? And she was free at seven...

"What did you have in mind?"

"I was thinking maybe we could watch a movie or something." As in, like, a date? Helena thought.

"As in, like, just us two." Exactly like a date. Helena mused.

"Um, alright then. I'll see you at seven, then." Hayabusa bounced away happily.

Helena sat down to process the information zooming about in her skull. To make this evening successful, she was going to have to work hard. But something in the back of her head was telling her that no matter what happened, this evening was going to be one to remember.

Helena had never been more correct in her entire life.

A/N: So, I'm back, eh? Check my livejournal for details. I CAN'T BE BOTHERED EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED IN AUSTRALIA OR WHATEVER. Ahahahahahaha oh well, it's nice to be back on the FanFiction Scene.

As my saying goes: Sayonara! Read and Review!

--Tropical Weirdo