The first week is rough, but Skylar does her job as best she can. Soon she finds herself a bit more comfortable with interviews and backstage segments. The weeks pass super quickly, until she's asked to start traveling with the Raw roster to do some filming for the WWE Network exclusive shows. She grows close with Renee Young and Alexa Bliss, but only Alexa travels full time and she already has a car full of travel partners.
As Raw comes to a close Skylar wheels her bag to the security entrance of that evening's arena. She stops to send a quick text to Kenny before stepping into the cold parking garage.
"It's not too cold out there for you is it?" Karl laughs.
"No colder than my heart," she quips with a smirk.
Karl shivers, "Oooo that's chilly!"
"Who are you riding with, Ice Queen?" Luke asks overhearing their conversation.
She pushes her phone back into the pocket of her black denim jeans, "Riding solo my friend."
"What!?" Karl snaps. She just shrugs as if it's no big deal. "No, no. That's not happening. You're riding with us. We'll drop your rental off and you can be our fourth."
"You sure Ferg won't mind?" She asks skeptically.
"Won't mind what?" The Irishman asks rounding the corner with his own gear bag.
Luke turns to look at the leader of the Balor Club, "The Princess of Darkness is riding alone."
"We told her to ride with us," Karl finishes the big man's thought.
Finn turns to the sheepish looking dark haired girl with sparking blue eyes, "Of course you can ride wit us. As long as you can deal wit deez two."
"Hey now Hoot!" Karl feigns being hurt by Finn's words. "If you're gonna brother me. At least brother me softly!"
Skylar giggles, "Not a problem."
With that decided the three guys follow her to a place where she can park the rental and drop off the keys. She loads he big bag into the back of their SUV and climbs into the back seat behind Luke.
"You're probably the only one that we could let ride with us," Karl chuckles from the front seat. "Gallows is too damn tall for any of us to ride behind."
Skylar kicks her feet around as they dangle a few inches above the floor of the vehicle, "And I still have a ton of room."
Finn shoots her a smile, "Looks like you're a perfect fit."
She blushes, thankful for the darkness in the car. Luckily Luke and Karl are too distracted by the GPS to have heard Finn's comment. The car gets moving a few moments later much to her relief. She settles into her seat and listens to the tag team banter back and forth in a bunch of their ridiculous voices. She texts Kenny to let him know that she has travel partners then slowly starts to zone out watching the dark scenery pass them by on the quiet highway.
Her mind starts to wander back to her days in Japan. Wrestling for Shimmer, Stardom and any other company that would let her into their ring. Kenny had moved to Japan a few years earlier to show his commitment to the NJPW product. Having her brother in New Japan at the time was a much needed security blanket. So when she was offered a shot on a tour with Shimmer she jumped at the opportunity. She got to spend a lot of time with her brother and his friends while overseas. That was where she first met the Bullet Club. Finn, Prince Devitt at the time, was the leader of the faction consisting of Gallows, Anderson, Tama Tonga and Bad Luck Fale. They were the biggest and baddest stable of gaijin heels in NJPW. And her brother was not amused by her getting chummy with them.
He was even less happy with her when she started dating Fergal Devitt. Their relationship had been the catalyst for many many fights between the siblings. She recalls a time when Ferg and Kenny had beaten the shit out of each other in a match. Both men coming back to the locker room swollen, bruised and bloody. Ultimately she and Finn had come to a mutual decision that they were much better friends than significant others. Not long after their breakup Finn had left for America to sign with NXT. Kenny joined the Bullet Club, lead by AJ Styles, and she moved back to Canada before joining a few international tours through Europe.
She got really lucky that her relationship with her brother hadn't been seriously damaged by her dating life. Kenny forgave her almost immediately when he realized that her and Ferg were really done. He extended her the offer to stay with him any time she chose to visit Japan. Though she hadn't been in a year or two, he still offered any time they spoke.
She jumps at the sound of her ringtone and vibrating phone in her pocket. The boys all go quiet as she fishes for her noisemaker. A grin spreads across her face as she sees a FaceTime call from Kenny coming through. She shoots a look to the boys hoping that they won't mind if she takes the call.
"Well answer it Hoot!" Karl laughs tapping the overhead light so he'll be able to see her.
"Hello Hoshi," she greets the camera.
"You still on the road Koneko?" Kenny asks as the boys politely keep quiet.
"Yep," she nods. "We've got another hour about. But the drive is mostly over."
"Oh, I'm sorry," he apologizes for interrupting their drive.
"Don't apologize Hoot!" Karl's voice booms
Kenny tilts a ear to the phone, "Is that Karl Anderson?"
"Oh hell yeah!" Luke bellows his Stone Cold impression from the drivers seat.
Kenny chuckles, "And Gallows, of course."
Skylar spins around in her seat so that her phone can get get everyone into the screen.
"And brother Ferg," Karl pipes in as Finn pops his head into frame with a smile and a wave.
Kenny forces a smile as the boys all throw up Too Sweets, "I'll let you guys finish your drive. Call me later Koneko."
"I will, Hoshi," she promises as she turns the screen back to herself. "Love you."
"Love you too Sky," Kenny tells her before the phone screen goes blank.
"Little cat huh?" Finn asks about the name Kenny had called her.
She nods, "I'm kind of a jerk. I pretty much do what I want. But still precious and lovable. Kenny's words, not mine."
"That's actually pretty accurate," Finn nods trying to play off Kenny's quick hang up.
Gallows howls with laughter, "Just don't go scratching up the furniture.. Or knocking shit off of able."
Skylar rolls her eyes playfully, "Way to take ALL the fun out of it!"
They continue their drive while making small talk. The hotel comes into view in a little less than an hour. Luke parks the car and the four of them pour out of the vehicle stretching their sore parts. The desk staff is efficient for it being the middle of the night, and everyone is sent off to their rooms quickly. The moment she sets her bag down Skylar calls her brother back.
His face is one of concern as he answers the video call, "Sky, I don't know if I like you hanging out with those guys."
"Kenny, you didn't like it when I was hanging out with them in Japan either," she reasons. "They're the only friends I have here. The only people I know outside of the company, and the only ones that treat me as an equal."
"I just don't trust them," he worries aloud.
"I think you really just don't want me near Ferg because you think we'll start seeing each other again," she tells him bluntly.
He's a bit taken aback by her statement, "Well yeah, that's definitely part of it!"
She almost laughs at Kenny's definitive reaction, "You don't have to worry about that Hoshi."
"That's what you think," he huffs. "You're my kid sister. I am always going to worry about you and men.. Especially Fergal Devitt."
"But you don't have to," she tries to explain. "I'm a big girl. I can handle myself."
He rolls his eyes but still speaks to her softly and sweetly, "Not the point Koneko."
"Listen, he's the creator of the Bullet Club. You're the leader of the Bullet Club," she starts, not knowing where that thought is even going. "What I'm trying to say is we aren't dating. Nor will we be. We broke up because we weren't compatible."
Kenny sighs, "Fine.. I believe you." He pauses for a second before completely changing the subject. "Are you going to be able to come out for Wrestle Kingdom?"
"You and Jericho for the US title?" She beams. "I wouldn't miss that for the world! I'll get you my travel itinerary as soon as I have confirmation on flights."
"I can't wait to see you Koneko," he genuinely smiles. "These next two months are going to fly by."
They chat for a few more minutes before hanging up with plans to see each other in the near future.
Traveling with the Balor Club has its perks for sure. Skylar almost never has to drive since she's the only one small enough to sit behind Gallows. And when they stop at random places on the highway or go out for food she's always protected. Having three personal bodyguards makes any unwanted advances few and far between.
After a particularly grueling Raw the four of them start a long drive to the beginning of their next house show loop. Karl takes the wheel with Luke riding shotgun. Finn and Skylar settle into routine of backseat living.
And hour or so into their ride Luke asks, "Sky, you've got to be itching to get into the ring, right?"
"Yeah, I know I'd be going nuts being on the road and not actually wrestling," Karl adds.
"I think about it every single day," she admits. "Being so close to the action and not getting to be out there. But at the same time I'm seeing the world and making good money with my foot in the door of where I want to be."
"But dats not yer passion," Finn states. "You should bring yer gear on da next loop. Get ya some ring time."
She shoots him a wicked grin, "What do you think this is? Amateur hour?" Karl chuckles up front as she continues. "What's the first rule of wrestling?"
"Always bring your gear!" Luke and Karl both yell from the front seats before laughing like hyenas.
Even Finn chuckles at their enthusiasm, "I know, I know!"
"Why do you think my bag is so heavy?" Skylar laughs. "I've got my ring gear AND actual clothes in there. Just in case."
"You should come down to the ring and work out with us tomorrow before the house show," Finn tells her.
The wheels in her head start spinning, weighing the potential outcomes of her doing just that, "You don't think they'll be pissed?"
"Listen," Luke preaches from the front seat. "They're not going to fire you for rolling around. As far as I see it, your contractually obligated to work out and stay in shape anyways. Just come down to the ring with us and hop in like you own the place."
"That first bump back is going to suuuuuuck," she smirks knowing she's absolutely getting in the ring tomorrow.
"They all suck Hoot!" Karl demands. "But daddy was a fall down man!"
She rolls her eyes as Luke and Karl slip into their routine of impressions and ridiculous voices.