Kanae wrote down her signature and handed her contract to Inoba. She was quite proud of it, and so were Misaki and Jackal Tojo who stood behind her.
"And that settles it." Inoba said. "Welcome back to Berserk, Kanae Fujishita."
"Thank you, Mr. Inoba." Kanae said.
"It's good to have you back, Kanae." Misaki said welcoming her old friend back.
"I take it this means you'll want to make your return match soon?" Jackal asked.
"Actually, I think I may need to spend some time training first." Kanae said. "It's been a couple of years, and I wouldn't want to be rusty in my first match back."
"I understand." Misaki said. "Just know that when you're ready, we'll be waiting."
Kanae nodded and left the office with the others. When they stepped outside, they stopped when they saw a few reporters surrounding the ring where Queen Bee stood.
"What's this?" Misaki asked Sakura and Yoshi who approached.
"Dawn wanted reporters to witness her officially declare the type of match she wants." Sakura said.
"I see." Misaki said. "So Yoshi, how is Kaito doing so far?"
Yoshi shrugged nervously. "Not gonna lie. He's a little rough around the edges. Physically, he's perfectly fit for a wrestler. But the real problem is his fighting style. We're trying to figure out what his problem is, but so far, for some reason, it can't compare to being good enough. Don't worry though. We're not giving up on him."
"That's good to know." Misaki said.
Kanae looked and saw her reporting partner among the crowd. "Oh. Hey, Natsuki."
"Kanae." Natsuki greeted. "So you're officially back?"
"Yeah. I just signed my contract." Kanae said. "Has the kid said anything yet?"
"Not yet. She's waiting for everyone to quiet down so she can make her statement."
After a second, the reporters stopped clamoring giving Queen Bee the chance to announce to them. "You all know me. Some of you know about my wrestling career in America. And a few of you even know about my history with Beatrice Harper, aka Hornet. She left my original gym to go bankrupt while she moved her career to Japan cheating at the League of Evil. Well, it's time I settled the score. One win. I just need one win over her to avenge the Queen Bee gym. And next Friday, that's exactly what I'll get."
"Oh, really?" asked a familiar voice. The reporters gasped and shot pictures at Hornet, who appeared at the other side of the ring with the rest of the League of Evil outside behind her. "You're going to beat me? That's exactly what you promised several times back in America. And surprise, surprise, you failed. You'll fail this time, Dull N' Broken!"
"I'm not the same girl you knew back then, Beatrice." Queen Bee retorted. "I've fought all over America. Sometimes, I lost, this was true. But most of the time, I won. So I am not Dawn Breaker and I'm certainly not that stupid nickname, Dull N' Broken! I am Queen Bee, the Queen of Pro Wrestling! And come Friday, I will make you say it!"
Hornet chuckled. "Oh, really?"
"Yes! Since I beat your XXL partner, I have the right to decide what match you and I will have! So let's keep it between the two of us. No interference from the outside. And to keep it that way, the match I choose for us will be… a steel cage match!"
The reporters continued watching and taking notes with great interest. Hornet gazed through her mask before chuckling.
"Fine. If that's what you want. Although, I'm honestly kind of disappointed."
That last comment got Queen Bee off guard. "What do you mean?"
"Well, I know how much of an overachiever you are, Dawn. I didn't think you'd do something so cowardly as to challenge me to a steel cage match?"
"What?" Queen Bee asked getting riled up. "How is a match like that cowardly?"
"You said so yourself, you're cutting me off from the support of my friends." Hornet answered. "Hey, I don't blame you. If I had to face somebody who was obviously stronger than me, I'd prefer there be a handicap too."
"EXCUSE ME!" Queen Bee yelled out.
Misaki widened her eyes. "Oh, no."
"What?" Sakura asked.
"I know what she's doing." Misaki said.
"Don't make a big deal about it." Hornet continued her taunting. "I mean, it won't be a good-enough victory if you have to bring me down on your level."
"I'll have you know, I can beat you in any state you are in!" Queen Bee yelled out.
Hornet grinned. "Is that so? Then, I suppose you'd prefer it if we wrestle in a match where I am best?"
"Don't do it." Sakura said. "I know what's going on now? Don't do it, Dawn."
"I'll take you on in any match you want!" Queen Bee stated drowning out her friend's protest.
Hornet's grin grew wider. "Any match?"
"Any match! Just say it, and I'll agree to it!"
"Hehe. Got you. Then in that case, I want an extreme lumberjill match!" That match got everyone in the gym by surprise.
"An extreme what match?" Sakura asked.
"A lumberjill match is like a lumberjack match, but with women wrestling instead of men." Misaki explained.
"And what's a lumberjack match?" Sakura asked.
"Basically speaking, a lumberjack match is like a normal wrestling match, but other wrestlers will be surrounding the ring. When one of the competitors gets out of the ring, the wrestlers outside will have to deal with them, usually by throwing them back into the ring. In a normal lumberjack match, normal rules apply, but an extreme one means no disqualifications."
Sakura widened her eyes. "So if Dawn accepts this match…"
"That's right." Misaki nodded. "Most likely, she'll have to deal with the entire League of Evil at once."
"I'll see you there, Beatrice!" Queen Bee shouted. "Even with the entire League backing you up, I'm certain I can defeat you!"
Hornet chuckled again. "Is that so? Then how's about we raise the stakes? Mascara contra cabellera!"
Everyone in the ring gasped, mostly Sakura and Yoshi.
"She won't say yes, will she?" Sakura asked.
"If she knows what that means, there's no way she could say…"
"I accept! See you in the ring!" Queen Bee yelled out.
Hornet smirked, stuck up her middle finger in Queen Bee's direction, and left the gym with the rest of the League of Evil. The reporters followed getting their stories ready while Queen Bee approached the other Berserk wrestlers.
"Okay, so I see where I went wrong." Dawn said.
"Dawn, what were you thinking?" Sakura asked. "Not only did you accept an extreme lumberjill match, but do you even know what you just bet?"
"Yes. Mascara contra cabellera. I know what Beatrice said."
Yoshi widened his eyes. "Wait. Do you not know what that is?"
"What, is it some kind of food?" Dawn asked.
"Wow." Yoshi said. "Look, you kinda bet a lot. 'Mascara contra cabellera' translates to 'mask against…'"
"Hey, I'm just messing with you." Dawn interrupted. "Seriously, who bets their own hair without even knowing it?" Sakura's face tightened nervously remembering a mistake she made in the past. "Look, I know it wasn't the original plan, but I couldn't help it. Beatrice knew just how to push my buttons."
"So you never turn down a challenge?" Misaki asked.
"Kinda like me." Sakura thought.
"Hey, I'm a tomboy wrestler who had an unbelievable losing streak." Dawn said. "I grew a bit of a temper. I never said I was a perfect human being."
Misaki sighed. "All right. Look, at least in a lumberjill match, you won't have to be alone. We can join you at ringside to keep the League of Evil from doing anything."
"Well, you can count me in." Sakura said. "I'm sure some of the other girls would like to join in."
"In the meantime, senora," Yoshi said, "I think you need some tips on how to handle a lumberjill match. If you like, you can come on over to Animal Squadron tomorrow. Satoru has had his fair share of lumberjack matches, so I'm sure he can give you some tips."
"Sounds good." Dawn said. "Thanks, Yoshi."
"De nada."
Kanae chuckled before meeting up with her reporting partner. "Sounds like this will be an interesting match, huh?"
"Yeah." Natsuki agreed. "So you gonna be there supporting Queen Bee?"
"Wish I could, but I think I'd rather wait until my official first match to come back to the stage." Kanae said. "I'd like to start wearing my wrestling outfit in public on that day alone."
"Well, I guess I'd like to see that sometime." Natsuki said. He suddenly blushed realizing what he said. "The match, of course. Not your outfit. I mean, there's nothing wrong with it. I'm sure you look great in it. Well, not great as in…"
Kanae chuckled. "What are you, twelve? Look, we're both adults here. If you'd like a date, just ask."
Natsuki's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yeah. I haven't really been on a date in a while. Since I'm getting back into the wrestling game, I might as well try getting back into the dating game too. And who better than you?"
"Wow." Natsuki expressed both surprised and happy. "So I'll pick you up around seven?"
"Sounds good to me." Kanae agreed. "See you then."
Author's Note: So the match has been decided, but it's not what Queen Bee originally planned. Hornet really knows how to push her buttons. Anyway, next time, Queen Bee enters Animal Squadron and gives unexpected help.
Any and all comments are welcome.
