Love Hina: Once Again

Forty Five

"A martial arts tournament?" Motoko Aoyama blinked, the tall, black haired woman looking mildly alarmed.

"Kanako apparently got a letter of challenge because she's the inheritor of the family style," Shinobu explained, having been left in charge of the inn.

"That's dangerous!" Ema Maeda gulped.

"Not like our usual ghost chasing?" Motoko noted.

"Well, point," Ema conceded.

Addressing Shinobu, Motoko asked, "Did she say where it is?"

Tentatively Shinobu said, "Nerima Ward, Tokyo."

"THAT'S WHERE ALL THE MARTIAL ARTS CRAZIES ARE?!" everyone chorused.

"Shit, we'd best tell Kitsune," Ema muttered.

"Yeah, we might have to go rescue her," Motoko agreed.

"Or maybe we should trust she can handle it?" Shinobu said. She added, "She seemed fine with going out there."

Ema paused, "Well, yeah..."

Motoko looked torn, but she was well aware of how good a fighter she was.

"Besides," Shinobu added, "she has her phone. If something does happen, she can call."

"Let's still tell Kitsune," Motoko decided. "And maybe take the van to Tokyo, just in case a rescue is needed..."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"So, you're here representing the Urashima school?" Akane Tendo asked, the black haired, pretty girl dressed in a karate uniform.

"Yes, I'm the heir to the school," Kanako bowed to her slightly, the goth girl dressed in a simple black outfit.

"I remember seeing Grandmother Urashima here," Akane nodded, "she was quite formidable."

"Thank you," Kanako bowed again, "and I've heard a great deal about the Tendo School of Anything Goes Martial Arts."

"Thanks," Akane shrugged, "but I don't expect to get THAT far."

"Farther than I will," Kanako joked. "Are any of the heavyweights from Nerima coming?" she asked warily.

"Ranma doesn't compete in the early rounds," Akane noted, "it's considered unfair."

"I suppose that makes sense," Kanako agreed.

"Ukyo and Shampoo are both here," Akane added, "so I'd say we're both hosed."

Before Kanako could reply, the announcer stepped into the ring.

"First match, Akane Tendo vs Brianna Diggers!" the announcer called.

"She's a WERE CHEETAH. How is that fair?" a nearby fighter muttered as Brianna strode forward then climbed into the ring.

"And Akane can manifest a rage powered Ki Mallet," another fighter pointed out.

"Well, yeah," the first admitted.

Kanako ignored that, turning to watch the fight.

Brianna was a taller than average woman, and yes had fur and spots. As soon as the bell rang she charged with inhuman speed, but Akane used a judo throw to toss her aside.

"Not bad," Brianna recovered fast.

"Thank you," Akane smiled, "And you're clearly stronger."

"Strength clearly isn't everything," Brianna admitted, "round two!"

This time Akane attacked, striking with rapid blows that the taller woman blocked with her arms.

"She's tough," a observer muttered.

"Got you!" Brianna stepped INTO a swing and grabbed Akane in a crushing hug, picking her right up[ off the ground.

"ETCHI! PERVERT! HENTAI!" Akane yelped.

'What an odd woman,' Kanako mused.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

While Tennyo Masaki liked to work in her office, she had a portable drafting board for when she got inspired at home. "There we go," she finished.

Being a architect was reasonably well paying, though she wondered if her relatives weren't throwing work her way. Which, admittedly, wasn't uncommon, but she didn't like it that much.

"Tennyo," a voice called, then a knock on her door.

"You KNOW you're always welcome, Mutsumi," Tennyo smiled at her girlfriend.

"I knew you were working," the pretty young woman replied warmly.

They stepped close and kissed, a gentle kiss that lingered sweetly. "Are you... busy with the cafe?" Tennyo asked.

"Actually, Kitsune wanted to see you," Mutsumi admitted. She added, "Phantom Quest Corp business, I think."

"I never should have volunteered for that," Tennyo noted.

Mutsumi just laughed at that as they both headed out to the Cafe which Kitsune ran along with Mutsumi herself.

Kitsune looked up, the boyish blonde smiling slightly. "Hey, Tennyo," she greeted her.

"Kitsune," Tennyo nodded. "What's up?"

"You do martial arts, right?" Kitsune asked.

Tennyo tilted her head in question, "Yes? The Masaki school of both swords and martial arts."

Kitsune nodded, "Okay, we might need you to help rescue Kanako." She then explained about the martial arts competition."

"Ah," Tennyo noted, "I also got a invitation, but decided not to go. Don't really see the point."

"Fair enough, you do have that crazy light saber," Kitsune noted.

"BEAM saber. We don't want Disney lawyers coming after us," Tennyo noted.

"Please no breaking the fourth wall," Mutsumi reminded them.

"Yes, I'm okay with coming to Tokyo," Tennyo got them back on track. "I can check in with my bosses there, too."

"Okay, we'll head out in a few minutes," Kitsune decided.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Argh," Kanako groaned as a medic looked her over.

"I don't think you've broken anything, but you're very heavily bruised," Dr Tofu noted. "Does this hurt?" he poked.

"Ugh," Kanako winced, "YES."

"Yup, bruised," Tofu agreed. "You can drop out if you want at this point.. you made it through three rounds."

"I want to keep going," Kanako decided.

"Good luck," Tofu offered.

Kanako had fought a reasonably good karate user, then a kick boxer from the US. Then she had run into a Chinese Amazon, a tall, redhead named So Lution. She was a bloody monster, and taking her down had involved just wearing the woman down...

"Ho, little one!" Solution strode over.

Kanako winced, turning towards herr. "Yes?" she asked calmly.

"Good fight," Solution said cheerfully. "Not expect you to know nerve strike technique," she added with a smile.

:It was passed down in my family," Kanako admitted. "My Great Grandmother, supposedly, learned it from a Chinese Amazon named Cologne."

"I see," Solution looked intrigued. She paused then hesitantly asked bher, "Err.. are you busy after this?"

Kanako looked up at her, blinking, then realized the woman was asking her out. She felt herself smiling back, "No, I'm not busy."

Solution smiled back, "We could get a coffee later, once we finish here."

"I'd like that," Kanako agreed.

"Miss? It's nearly time fior your next bout, unless you want to withdrawl?" a attendant asked.

"I'm in," Kanako nodded. She addressed Solution, "See you later."

"Good luck," the amazon called.

"So, who's up next?" Kanako asked as she walked to the ring.

"Makoto Kino..."

To be continued...

Notes: Kanako is canonly a martial artist, though it doesn't come up much other than her disarming Motoko once. There PROBABLY is an existing Amazon named Solution. And yes, that's Makoto from Sailor Moon.