Chapter 1: Head Games

The final rays of daylight flowed through narrow windows, tinting white walls with hues of yellow and red. Any quaint beauty was missed on a young woman seated on an exercise bike, her legs pressing heavily against the machine's pedals. Her slender fingers gripped the cushioned handlebars tightly, her arched back bobbing with each strenuous thrust as her energy waned. Muscles bemoaned their suffering, the familiar burn of exertion rising from her legs. Yielding for a moment, the whir of the machine carrying on, the young woman leaned back, her bronze skin glistening with sweat. Her labored breathing joined the machine as the only noise occupying the room. Brilliant cerulean eyes stared at the white panel ceiling before them, then closed as she drew in a deep, relaxing breath.

'I don't feel like wasting my time with the likes of Team Satomi.'

The voice was quiet yet sharp, tearing asunder the peace the woman held in that moment. Eyes slowly reopened, veiled anger flickering softly within them, a small frown set on her lips. Discontent to remain seated, she dismounted the bike, slipping off her shoes. Standing barefoot on the padded floor, fingers flexing apprehensively, she drew in a deep breath. Kicking her shoes aside, she fell into stance, releasing the breath as she glared intensely forward.

'Things won't go down the same way as last year.'

The words were like teeth, ripping into something deep within her, bleeding out her anger. With eyes closed she launched forward, delivering powerful kicks and swift strikes at an invisible opponent. Slowly, the foe developed distinct features. Trim arms grew from a narrow torso loosely draped in a gray sleeveless shirt. Out of the top sprouted a thing face, a set of jade eyes opening to gaze back tauntingly. Finishing the metamorphosis was a thick head of blond hair, heavy bangs falling over one eye. Seeing the completed figure cause the young woman to hesitate, frustrated anger washing over her, delivering a new wealth of energy. With added fervor she lashed out, willing herself to strike down the snide being bobbing before her. Each calculated move of hers was nimbly dodged as if the opponent foresaw her attack. With each dodge the enemy's flaunting grace became more apparent, and each miss increased her anger. Soon practiced routines and crisp moves regressed into wild swings, morphing her training into a frenzy.

'Any shot I have, I'm taking.'

A single, vigorous jab to her foe's face vanquished it from her mind's eye. Panting heavily, she opened her eyes to witness her handiwork, stunned to find an acquittal person before her. "Uh, hey Liz," the new individual greeted warily, "what's got you so worked up?"

"N-nothing! I was just training that's all," Liz sputtered back, slightly flustered as she lowered her clenched fist.

"With your eyes closed?" the young male doubted, an eyebrow slightly raised, "well I guess that's cool if it works for you," he finished with a casual shrug.

Tucking his hands into the pockets of his jacket, blowing a few stray ebony bangs from his face, the man half turned towards the door. Glancing back, amber eyes meeting a distant gaze, he shrugged again, beginning his exit. The soft thump of his shoes against the floor caused Liz to contort her face into a grimace as conflicting thoughts warred in her head. Resolving her struggle, her lips parted to speak. "Takeshi, Amy and I ran into River today," she spoke softly, unsure if her decision to tell was sound, "watch your back this year…"

"I'm not worried about River," Takeshi chuckled as he turned back to face his counterpart, finishing his thought with a smirk, "I beat him once, I can do it again."

"This isn't going to be like last year man. We sure knocked a lot of teams off on our way up to the top. We've got a target on us man, especially you," came Liz's response, just short of a shout as she pointed a finger at the team's forward.

"Yeah, but just think how much better we got last year. No one will be able to stop us, not even Velshtein," Takeshi countered, his expression growing more serious as he spoke, his legs moving him towards the exit again.

"I hope you're right man, but play it safe, ok?" Liz appealed gently, worry hidden within her words.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right Liz?" he flashed a grin over his shoulder as the door closed behind him.

Shaking her head, the beginnings of a smile working over her lips, Liz allowed herself a soft chuckle. "Sometimes I wonder about that kid."

---

Lavender skies peeked through the spaces between buildings, the numerous stars blending into the street lamps' glow. The soft clap of rubber slapping against concrete carried on a gentle breeze, a young man clad in gray revealed by the light. Sweat glistened on his skin, his breath coming in quick gasps, his eyes boring ahead. Familiar landmarks flew by as he kept his quick pace, their appearance little more than a blur. Breaking stride in an effort to stop, he came to rest by a door bearing the number of his residence. Fingers fished in the pocket of a pair of baggy sweatpants, finding the desired object, he pulled a key from his pocket. The key slid into the doorknob with ease, unlocking the door to a narrow hallway, doors lining each side of the passage. Trudging down the adequately lit corridor, his heart settling into its usual rhythmic beating, the door to his apartment drew closer. With the door unlocked, he entered his home.

Darkness greeted him, but quickly retreated at the flick of a switch, revealing sparse decorating. Stepping into the apartment's kitchenette, retrieving a bottled water from the counter, he gulped down the contents. He tossed the now empty plastic bottle into a bag hanging from a cupboard handle as he moved from the small space, coming to stare at a framed picture. Hanging squarely in the center of the living room wall was a blown up photograph. In the image: a pair of racing machines side-by-side, their foremost sections at a white painted line. "You got lucky Takeshi. I won't let you get the best of my again," the man promised in a low growl, "Next time the race will be mine."

To be continued…