To Repeat: Tecmo and Team Ninja own Dead or Alive and its characters. I merely own the laptop on which this story was typed.
Temet Nosce – Ch. 1
"So are you nervous about tonight?" Lei Fang inquired as the young Chinese girl launched her offensive, graceful arms and legs feinting at Helena, who easily blocked the attack. The two were not seriously fighting, merely going through their moves and helping each other out by pointing out where each leave themselves open, providing suggestions in order to give the duo a better chance in the tag team matches.
"It's not the fight I'm worried about. It's the waiting I have to endure. I mean, what if he's the one-" Helena cut herself off in mid-sentence to disengage from Lei Fang, who had tried to throw her, and dropped to a bokuho stance, eyeing the black-clad girl. Lei Fang had chosen to wear black leather shorts with a matching top and boots. Helena couldn't fathom what possessed her to wear such an outfit, given how hot it already was. She had chosen a simple white blouse and jeans, still warm, but a lot more functional.
"You think he's the one who killed your mother?" Lei Fang asked incredulously. She was one of only two people Helena had confided in, telling them the real purpose for entering the Tournament. The two young women had befriended each other early on, seeing in each other a common bond. Both were skilled fighters and both were considered not to be serious contenders. However, time and the display of their abilities soon shut most of their detractors up.
"I'm not sure, but if he didn't, I'll bet he knows who did." It was Helena's turn to go on the offensive. She leapt upward into a double kick, easily sidestepped by Lei Fang, and spun into a sequence of flourishing punches, blonde ponytail flying. The blows either never found their mark or were deflected.
Lei Fang was getting bored. They had been simply sparring for nearly an hour now, and while that was all well and good, she felt the need to spice things up a bit. With a mischievous gleam in her brown eyes she began, "You know, this Ein person…" she paused to block an incoming kick, "…I hear he hasn't been KO'd in any of his fights". The comment had its desired effect. Helena hesitated, off balance, giving Lei Fang the opening she'd been looking for. With a force that belied her small frame, she swung around, putting her shoulder into the Frenchwoman, slamming her into the wall.
"Oof!" Helena felt the air leave her lungs as her body slid down the wall. She sat on the ground for a moment, and with an arched golden brow, glared up at Lei Fang, who blinked at her innocently. She stood up slowly, then pounced on the Chinese girl, doubling her efforts.
"That's because," Helena gritted through clenched teeth, "he hasn't fought me yet."
Lei Fang giggled, but nervously. The Frenchwoman's attacks were getting harder to block. Her brown eyes narrowed to almond slits in concentration; sweat beading on her face, matting her dark ponytail to the nape of her neck.
Helena could see her size and strength was beginning to wear Lei Fang down. She allowed herself a wicked smile, eyes glittering. Time to return the favor, she thought.
"Speaking of KO's, I hear Jann Lee is also undefeated in all of his matches as well". Helena watched as Lei Fang's eyes flew wide open, slackjawed, and gleefully seized the moment. The blond unloosed a powerful punch directed straight at the brunette's midsection. The blow threw the small girl head over heels backwards. She rolled a fair distance before stopping face down in the dirt.
Slowly, painfully, Lei Fang got to her hands and knees. Her fury at the mere mention of her nemesis' name, and the fact that she fell for her own trick, was all over her youthful face. She looked at Helena, who simply stared back and shrugged.
"That's because he hasn't fought me yet either." Lei Fang hissed. Helena grinned. The two young women stared at each other, the one on the ground tried to suppress a giggle, which came out as a strangled noise. It was all it took for Helena, who dissolved into body shaking laughs, the tension she had been carrying leaving her. Soon she was followed by the silvery-belled chuckles of Lei Fang and now both were on the ground laughing, tears streaming down their sweat-stained faces. It was a while before either of them could regain their composure. Helena sat up and sighed out a giggle, wiping tears away with the dirty sleeve of her blouse. Lei Fang too had stopped laughing now and was now looking at the blonde woman, a smile on her lips. Helena smiled back.
"Thank you" she said softly. She reached out her hand. The younger woman took it and squeezed tight.
"Go kick his ass for me too, hm? You'll do great".
Together they got up and brushed themselves off.
"Hey, do you want to go grab lunch together, maybe check out a match?" Lei Fang asked as they walked to the exit, head tilted up at Helena.
"Um, thanks, but I'll pass this time. I'm thinking I need to speak with Ryu Hayabusa. He may help me with tonight's match" came the reply