Post by "Lady Luck" Fujiko Mine on May 16, 2015 22:57:51 GMT -5
//OOC: I recommend reading “It’s Time” parts one and two to understand what’s going on here.\\
My time is almost at hand. There’s no one in LAW that deserves this championship opportunity more than me. While Oni has been more or less getting the easy track through her entire reign as champion, I have been toiling for the chance to get to this point. While she was fortunate enough to be entered in the LAW championship tournament, I was snubbed. Maybe due to beating Kate Steele for the chance to face Nyako, but it doesn’t matter now.
Oni, I know you have it in your head that this match is your chance to redeem yourself as LAW champion. That while you can’t exactly be proud of what you’ve done since you became champion, that this is your chance to change that. You winning at Validation could very well make some of your doubters go away.
So you may well have other motivations, but to me, it doesn’t really matter.
I’ve come this far, so now I just have to bide my time until Validation, to prove to you, and the world, that I really can do this.
My loss to Nyako? Completely in my rearview mirror. My loss to Kate Steele? Barely even thought about it. The tag team title match that the Pink Ladies cheated to win? It’s water under the bridge.
I have learned from those mistakes. I have taken all I can from them, and gotten rid of the negatives. They won’t help me.
I am not even trying to think about your so called ‘terrible’ reign as LAW champion. Ultimately, that means nothing once the bell rings. So to try and base my attack there makes no sense.
Instead, I’m just going to focus on myself.
Like I’ve said publicly, I knew from the moment that Bliss Fischer gave me the ultimatum to put my chance to fight Nyako again on the line for a chance to face you that I could beat you. Not because you’re not talented. You clearly are. I could argue I am more talented. Because I have so much more to lose than you.
It’s clear to me, at least from the surface, that you and I have some mutual respect towards each other. That may very well go out the window on your end when this match starts. For me? It won’t.
Like I told Trish, this isn’t personal on my end. I’m just coming into this to prove that I am the best that this company has, bar-none. So that means that I have to end your reign, before you could ever get a chance to defend it successfully.
Oni, you will learn that I am more driven than anyone else in Ladies All-Star Wrestling to get to the top and be the best here.
I am more driven than anyone else to prove that I am quite the threat, and that I am able to break through my string of poor showings in previous big matches.
I’ll do it, too. And I will be the future of this company, just like I am the present.
If you have the respect that you claim you have for me, you will understand that I have more than prepared for this, and I will still be more than you will be able to handle.
You seem to have it in your head that I am underestimating you. Like, somehow, you are the underdog here. No I’m afraid you’re wrong here. You don’t get to parade around like it’s you that is the underdog.
There is no pity awaiting you. There isn’t any solace that you can have.
There is just me, ready to give my best in order to make sure that you leave Validation...disappointed. Sure in your failures.
Because this show and it’s name is truly apt. It’s my chance to validate all the hard work, dedication, and effort I’ve put in to get to this point. All the blood, the sweat, and the tears that I put in will finally be worth it.
This has the chance to be the single greatest moment of my career, and one of the greatest moments of my life. You really think that I am going to let you stand in the way of that?
I really think that you should think again.
I endured the nonsense between the Pink Ladies and the USA. I had to get stuck in the middle while you went back and forth in your little spat. And for all I care, you can continue in that. But you’ll do it without the LAW championship in your possession.
But ultimately, why?
Why am I going to beat you in a few weeks at Validation?
The answer may be so simple that you’ll kick yourself when you realize it.
It’s not just because I feel I’m more talented. It’s not just because I feel my back is against the wall, and it’s not because of my ego.
You’re no strategist, Oni. You can fight, but you can’t fight smart. You just hope that whatever you hit can’t get back up, and you take it from there. You throw your best shots at whatever opponent you have, not thinking about winning a match the smart way. It’s kind of why the Pink Ladies have been able to get ‘em over on you. It’s why you ended up getting injured versus Mackenzie, and are in this mess in the first place. And ultimately, it’s why you’re going to lose to me. Doing that is only going to get you so far, and when you’ve exhausted everything you have and I am still able to get back up, what are you going to do?
You’re going to run out of options, and I’m going to strike.
I’ve prepared for whatever you can throw at me, and even though I know you won’t stoop as low as the Pink Ladies, I am even prepared for outside interference.
I have done as best as I can to prepare for you, Oni.
This part of my journey is coming to an end, and it will not end with me failing again.
I will succeed, and I will survive this test.
Lady luck is going to prove to everyone in LAW, from Kate Steele to Keira Fischer and back, that I can do this. And that I am the best here.
I am truly the MVP here, Oni. There is no debating it. No one has had the run I have. Not Nyako, or Kate Steele. Not the Doc, or Evie Taylor. There has been no one that can take the competition that I have and stack up to it. I’ve beaten former tag team champions. I have beaten former Marquee champions. I have beaten former LAW champions. I have been one of the most dominant competitors this place has ever seen, hands down. You can get pissed off about it if you want to, but it’s fact. And that is not going to change at Validation.
You keep bringing up this ‘completing the set’ comment. It’s hilarious to me, Oni...because that comment, in large part, wasn’t about you or the ladies of USA. You keep on quoting it, like it’s some sort of mantra for you to repeat and fire you up. The truth of it is: It was about the Pink Ladies. I have defeated every single one of the Pink Ladies on my way to this match with you. This just backs up my theory that you just charge headlong into a battle, using whatever misguided theories as your fuel. So let that misguided information fuel you if you like, but you’re absolutely foolish if you think that you’re in the right there. You will though, and your attempt to verbally cut me down there will be blocked with ease.
But ultimately, you are just going to be my biggest challenge in LAW. There’s no debating that. Why?
Because you want to be the one to send me packing. You want to be the one to say that you beat the hottest thing in LAW in your first defense of the title. You want to do that. But you can’t. And you won’t. I won’t let you. Think what you want about if I respect you or not. It won’t change the outcome of this match.
It’s just like I said before: No direction. You can’t decide if you are sure I have no respect for you, or not. You can’t decide if I piss you off, or if something I said brought some sort of admiration to your mind. But I know what I want, and I know exactly how to get it.
You want to show everyone that no one is ready to be where you’re at, Oni? Hah.
I’ve been where you are at for the last month or so, I just haven’t had the championship to prove that. But that changes at Validation, let me tell you.
I meant what I said on the ‘Hot Seat’. I do not fear you, and I truly believe I can beat you. You can find that offensive if you truly like, but ask yourself this:
What business would I have being in this match if I truly didn’t believe that I could beat you? Not just hang in the ring with you, but beat you and become the new LAW champion. Didn’t you think the same when you faced Mackenzie Roberts? If you didn’t, then I am truly convinced that you might have just gotten lucky there. Because anything short of complete confidence in oneself means that you are throwing yourself in your own way.
I refuse to be an obstacle to myself. You are one plenty enough.
But you will be one that I overcome, I promise you that.
Step to the table, Oni. I can’t wait to clean you out, and leave you with nothing.
(Off Camera)
Marcia fluttered her eyes and then fully opened them. The last thing she remembered was the sickening crack of bulletproof glass doing its job. She assumed that her psyche was just overloaded, and she passed out. Reaching back a little, she remembered something that warmed her old heart.
Her daughter, Katharine, pressed against her.
She had long ago given up hope that she would ever see her little girl ever again. But the mysterious man known as Hiro Nagashima brought her about.
A small bit of annoyance over having to potentially start her life all over again rose within her, but she reminded herself that it may have been for the best.
Katharine was back in her life. After decades of depression and lack of closure, there she was, next to her.
"Fujiko-chan?"
Marcia snapped out of her introspection. To her, his insistence on that name bit at her. To her, the girl--no, she couldn’t think of her that way anymore. She was a woman now. But her name was Katharine. Katharine Aleanne Gardener. Child of a woman who caught a few unlucky breaks, and had a father that abandoned her the moment that he came. He was in her, for such a short time that she didn’t even remember his face.
In either event, she did not respond. She’d shifted away from Marcia’s shoulder and turned her head down.
"Her name is Katharine, sir. I named her so."
Hiro barely batted an eyelash in his response. "I think you’ll find the two of us in general disagreement on that. She’s known the name I’ve given her since she could formulate memories. To her, that’s always been her name, and it will not change just from your suggestion."
She noted that the other man in the truck, named Jeeves, remained quiet throughout this. A side glance at the sleeping Katharine strengthened her resolve.
"I am her mother, and that’s the name I gave her!"
She barely got the sentence out before Hiro quipped back.
"You have not been her parent for nearly twenty years. You have no documentation, only your memories. In a court, you would drown and lose."
Marcia gave out a short gasp, surprised at how cold and rude he was. She stammered for a moment, but then was interrupted by Hiro.
"My...apologies, Ms. Gardener, but you will have to understand that I have placed my entire life’s work into her upbringing. I took to running from the Sumiyoshi-kai, and have been hiding in America for nearly twelve years. I am...protective of her."
Kiel Jeeves took this moment to interject.
"What Hiro is trying to say is: He feels strongly for Fujiko in a paternal sense, and while he is pleased to have given Fujiko the closure that she required; you are something of a threat to him. He was kind of hoping that this would be a one time thing."
Marcia raised her eyebrow. The silence that came after clued Kiel in to continuing.
"We, being Hiro and myself, were hoping that we would go in, you would talk to Fujiko. She’d get pissed at you, and then best case scenario, you two would make up, and then we could be on our merry way. Fujiko has a life that she’s been living even since you had to leave her. We have to get her back to it. It was kind of foolish for us to do this, but there was no way she was going to have the ability to focus on everything that was coming her way. So, stupid or not, it’s why we’re here. We just didn’t suspect a tail."
Marcia took that in quickly, but couldn’t help but let curiosity and confusion filter in.
"Another...another life? The Sumiyoshi? What is all of this information?"She started. The two of them paused for a moment, leaving Marcia to ponder their meaning on her own. "Would you like to explain things, or should I?"
Hiro sighed, which Marcia wasn’t sure meant she should be offended or not. He turned to face, her, and kept a low tone as he spoke.
"Fujiko-chan has become…"Marcia squinted out of frustration, but Hiro’s cold gaze told her that he wasn’t going to budge. "--Something of a famous professional fighter. She was taught by myself, and another, who I have met in my travels. At present, she has several very important matches to focus on."
"A fighter…?"
"A professional wrestler, more like. And we don’t need to hear nonsense about it being fake. Please continue."
Hiro did as asked. "She is currently employed in two separate companies. One of which is female only, and the other which is co-ed competition. She seeks to attain supreme glory in both. Three matches will determine this. Two of which occur this Saturday."
Her eyes flew open. "This Saturday?! Truly?!"
"That’s right, Ms. Gardener. In my humble opinion, I think you should feel quite flattered. She is setting aside three of the biggest moments of her life...to risk meeting you, and consequently, being shot at and left for dead in some ditch in a remote part of India."
There was another silence here. Marcia knew not what to say. Her daughter...a popular fighter? She couldn’t place the feeling that hit her. She fought so hard to keep Katharine safe from her Yakuza masters, and now she was fighting men and women for sport...and glory. It felt...like a Greek myth tale. She felt her chest swell with some pride. It was an unexpected feeling to have, she noted.
"These matches will be a true test of her skill, cunning, and ability. Then, she will only have a week before she faces another large test. A major championship opportunity. Her first major championship, in fact. So the added stress of this is enough. We don’t need to add anything further to her ‘plate’, so to speak."
Kiel spoke up again.
"So, we will be getting you into America. We can deal with your feelings and Fujiko’s feelings after Saturday, at the earliest."
"and Heaven knows what mood she will be in after Saturday night. She could be on the absolute top of the world…"
"Or she could feel as if she hit rock bottom, after losing everything."
"I...really...I didn’t think--"
"No, no thought was given on your end about this. We do not blame you. You were merely thinking that this was your opportunity to mend the bridge that you regret was broken. To retrieve what you always thought was lost, so to speak."
"But we’ve been taking grand care of her. She’s rarely wanted for anything. Between our employer and Hiro himself, she’s gotten the best training, the best equipment, and the best upbringing we could bring to her. We taught her English, we taught her manners, and we’ve taught her how to defend herself, both in the ring and out. Unfortunately, I don’t think you would have been able to give her such an upbringing."
Marcia furrowed her brow. She took offense to this.
"I may not have been had all your fancy things, but I could have raised her well! I would have, if I could’ve found her in that wreckage--"
"But I did. I did find her, and I removed her from the building before it was destroyed. I gave her the life that I thought was best for her. We could argue this all the way back to America, if you like, but hindsight does not serve you well here. So know that there is only so much of the past you can fight for, before you realize that only fighting for your place in her future will provide you with a positive outcome."
There is a bit of silence, before Kiel clears his throat to speak up.
"Listen, we are willing to commit to keeping you in Fujiko’s life as best as we can. But there are so many variables. There are the Sumiyoshi-kai that somehow found out that Hiro and Fujiko were meeting you in India. There is the dilemma of getting you safely hidden in the United States. And most importantly, there are Fujiko’s feelings on the matter. No matter what, if Fujiko doesn’t want you in her life, ultimately: You won’t be."
Marcia had never even considered that possibility. That Katharine, her daughter, would not want her there. She had done no wrong to her; she tried to rescue her every step of the way. But she failed.
Maybe that’s what it was. Simply that she’d failed Katharine as a mother. Even as she put one hundred and fifty percent into it, and risked her own existence, she still failed.
"Ms. Gardener, I feel that as well as I know Fujiko-chan, and from my past experiences, you will be forgiven. But it may not happen the way you wish it to. It may be on her terms, and that may not be as quickly as you like. This is not a threat, but a warning...so that your heart is not broken as ours once were."
She blinks again, confusion settling in. Hiro exhaled, and then spoke.
"There was a time in which she ran off on her own. She was of age at the time, but it made it no less dangerous. She went missing for several months, without contact to anyone that she knew. It was...a dark time in all of our lives."
He turns his head down, clearly affected by it. Bringing it up seemed to drain any fight he had brewing behind his eyes. She chose not to torture him further with it.
"Perhaps I can be updated on all of this?"
Hiro gave her a curt nod.
"In time, I imagine you will be. But for now, we need to focus on the immediate. That is making sure that she is prepared for the battles that lie directly ahead, and give her time to focus on that. As for you: We will do our best to keep you safe, we assure you. Now I suggest you rest. The travel will be weary upon you, otherwise."
That information hit Marcia slowly, and she sighed. A glance over at Katharine calmed her heart a little bit. She let her thoughts shift over to the fact that she was ripped from hiding and dumped into America...with her long lost daughter, and two men she’d barely known.
She decided to keep her mouth closed on it for now.
For Katharine.
She’d have to be strong again. She would have to bring back the strong woman who tried to save her in the first place. So that her girl could persevere.
It would be hard, knowing that she’d recovered what she’d lost, but had to let it go again; albeit temporarily.
She could do it.
For her.
Saturday, May 16th, 2015
6:15pm
Fujiko rolled her shoulders carefully. Next to her was her FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy championship. She wore a white and grey version of her ring attire, a full legged singlet with the back cut out mid back, and the top tied behind her neck. The plunging neck showcased ample cleavage. She then bent down to lace up her boots. She kept an emotionless face, forgetting that for once, she was not alone in the room.
"Do you feel you are ready, Fujiko-chan?"
Fujiko did not look up, just nodding. In the locker room with her alongside Hiro was Marcia Gardener. She stood in awe of everything. She saw the name “Fujiko Mine” on the door, the extravagant (at least, to her) costume Fujiko was sporting, and the (admittedly) heavy championship belt. Fujiko and Hiro explained to her the concept of the ladder match she was about to participate in, and then following it up with the multi-man battle royal later in the night.
"Kathar...Fujiko?"
Fujiko switched her gaze over to her mother.
"Please, please...be careful out there."
Fujiko seemed to process the request with a blank face. She then slowly rose to her feet, and grabbed the Mid Atlantic Legacy championship. She hoisted it over her shoulder, and slightly narrowed her eyes as she closed the distance between them.
"I make no promises. But what I will promise? Is that nothing that has happened to me in the past week will negatively affect the outcome of tonight. I’m going to that ring, and kicking the crap out of Noelle Smith. And then I’m going to grab my belt, and then come back here. I’m going to meditate in silence, and then I’m going to go back out there, and win that gold rush rumble."
Fujiko arrogantly pats the title on her shoulder.
"And THEN? Then I’m going to go to Validation, and I’m going to stare down Oni, the Ladies All-Star Wrestling champion. I’m going to have the battle of my career, and then I’m going to beat her, and put that title right here."
She casually points to her bare left shoulder.
"Oni, Noelle, Tony Carmine, Kate Steele, none of them can stop me. So I’m sorry mother, but ‘careful’ is the last thing on my mind. I’m not thinking careful at all. I’m just thinking about shutting up everyone who ever said ‘I wasn’t any good’, or that ‘I’m worthless’. I just hope that you’ll have it in you to forgive me for one, and you’ll be proud of me, just like he has been."
She points to Hiro, who keeps his eyes locked on Marcia. Silence filled the room for a few moments, and then Marcia gave a weak smile.
"I...just...Fu...Fujiko."
Fujiko did not respond.
"I just...I can’t help but be proud. So very proud. I love you."
Fujiko’s breath caught in her throat. A few tears stung at her eyes, but she fought them back. With a thought, she closed the gap completely and gave her a quick hug.
"Th-thank you. Truly."
Fujiko blinked back a couple more tears, and then smiled. She took in a slight breath, and then moved to the door. She reached it, and then paused, before exhaling and heading through the door. It closed with a soft click, and Fujiko was gone. A few stray tears cascaded down Marcia’s tears as soon as she was gone. Hiro did not move, though Marcia had the feeling that he wanted to comfort her somehow. She wiped away those tears and looked him in the eyes.
"What was that?"
Hiro folded his arms.
"Her persona, her character."
Marcia squinted in thought.
"Even the outfit and all?"
Hiro let forth a mirthless chuckle.
"It is who she is. Even as a parent, we have no jurisdiction over this."
Marcia chewed at the inside of her lip. She didn’t know how she felt about that, but he was right. There was nothing that she could do.
"And the persona?"
Hiro chuckled again, also without mirth.
"It is her shield, her wall. In her place, I would have to put it up, too. I imagine while it would not be in that particular form, you will be seeing plenty of her defense mechanisms for a while."
This answer did nothing to please Marcia. She felt useless at this juncture. A glance from Hiro seemed to tell her ‘get used to it.’
"Does it ever become any easier?"
Hiro tilted his head slightly.
"You mean watching her walk away, headlong into danger? Where she could end up permanently injured, or worse?"
Marcia grit her teeth. The hypothetical pain of that was more than she wanted to confront.
"No. It does not."
"I suppose I should get used to it, then."
My time is almost at hand. There’s no one in LAW that deserves this championship opportunity more than me. While Oni has been more or less getting the easy track through her entire reign as champion, I have been toiling for the chance to get to this point. While she was fortunate enough to be entered in the LAW championship tournament, I was snubbed. Maybe due to beating Kate Steele for the chance to face Nyako, but it doesn’t matter now.
Oni, I know you have it in your head that this match is your chance to redeem yourself as LAW champion. That while you can’t exactly be proud of what you’ve done since you became champion, that this is your chance to change that. You winning at Validation could very well make some of your doubters go away.
So you may well have other motivations, but to me, it doesn’t really matter.
I’ve come this far, so now I just have to bide my time until Validation, to prove to you, and the world, that I really can do this.
My loss to Nyako? Completely in my rearview mirror. My loss to Kate Steele? Barely even thought about it. The tag team title match that the Pink Ladies cheated to win? It’s water under the bridge.
I have learned from those mistakes. I have taken all I can from them, and gotten rid of the negatives. They won’t help me.
I am not even trying to think about your so called ‘terrible’ reign as LAW champion. Ultimately, that means nothing once the bell rings. So to try and base my attack there makes no sense.
Instead, I’m just going to focus on myself.
Like I’ve said publicly, I knew from the moment that Bliss Fischer gave me the ultimatum to put my chance to fight Nyako again on the line for a chance to face you that I could beat you. Not because you’re not talented. You clearly are. I could argue I am more talented. Because I have so much more to lose than you.
It’s clear to me, at least from the surface, that you and I have some mutual respect towards each other. That may very well go out the window on your end when this match starts. For me? It won’t.
Like I told Trish, this isn’t personal on my end. I’m just coming into this to prove that I am the best that this company has, bar-none. So that means that I have to end your reign, before you could ever get a chance to defend it successfully.
Oni, you will learn that I am more driven than anyone else in Ladies All-Star Wrestling to get to the top and be the best here.
I am more driven than anyone else to prove that I am quite the threat, and that I am able to break through my string of poor showings in previous big matches.
I’ll do it, too. And I will be the future of this company, just like I am the present.
If you have the respect that you claim you have for me, you will understand that I have more than prepared for this, and I will still be more than you will be able to handle.
You seem to have it in your head that I am underestimating you. Like, somehow, you are the underdog here. No I’m afraid you’re wrong here. You don’t get to parade around like it’s you that is the underdog.
There is no pity awaiting you. There isn’t any solace that you can have.
There is just me, ready to give my best in order to make sure that you leave Validation...disappointed. Sure in your failures.
Because this show and it’s name is truly apt. It’s my chance to validate all the hard work, dedication, and effort I’ve put in to get to this point. All the blood, the sweat, and the tears that I put in will finally be worth it.
This has the chance to be the single greatest moment of my career, and one of the greatest moments of my life. You really think that I am going to let you stand in the way of that?
I really think that you should think again.
I endured the nonsense between the Pink Ladies and the USA. I had to get stuck in the middle while you went back and forth in your little spat. And for all I care, you can continue in that. But you’ll do it without the LAW championship in your possession.
But ultimately, why?
Why am I going to beat you in a few weeks at Validation?
The answer may be so simple that you’ll kick yourself when you realize it.
It’s not just because I feel I’m more talented. It’s not just because I feel my back is against the wall, and it’s not because of my ego.
You’re no strategist, Oni. You can fight, but you can’t fight smart. You just hope that whatever you hit can’t get back up, and you take it from there. You throw your best shots at whatever opponent you have, not thinking about winning a match the smart way. It’s kind of why the Pink Ladies have been able to get ‘em over on you. It’s why you ended up getting injured versus Mackenzie, and are in this mess in the first place. And ultimately, it’s why you’re going to lose to me. Doing that is only going to get you so far, and when you’ve exhausted everything you have and I am still able to get back up, what are you going to do?
You’re going to run out of options, and I’m going to strike.
I’ve prepared for whatever you can throw at me, and even though I know you won’t stoop as low as the Pink Ladies, I am even prepared for outside interference.
I have done as best as I can to prepare for you, Oni.
This part of my journey is coming to an end, and it will not end with me failing again.
I will succeed, and I will survive this test.
Lady luck is going to prove to everyone in LAW, from Kate Steele to Keira Fischer and back, that I can do this. And that I am the best here.
I am truly the MVP here, Oni. There is no debating it. No one has had the run I have. Not Nyako, or Kate Steele. Not the Doc, or Evie Taylor. There has been no one that can take the competition that I have and stack up to it. I’ve beaten former tag team champions. I have beaten former Marquee champions. I have beaten former LAW champions. I have been one of the most dominant competitors this place has ever seen, hands down. You can get pissed off about it if you want to, but it’s fact. And that is not going to change at Validation.
You keep bringing up this ‘completing the set’ comment. It’s hilarious to me, Oni...because that comment, in large part, wasn’t about you or the ladies of USA. You keep on quoting it, like it’s some sort of mantra for you to repeat and fire you up. The truth of it is: It was about the Pink Ladies. I have defeated every single one of the Pink Ladies on my way to this match with you. This just backs up my theory that you just charge headlong into a battle, using whatever misguided theories as your fuel. So let that misguided information fuel you if you like, but you’re absolutely foolish if you think that you’re in the right there. You will though, and your attempt to verbally cut me down there will be blocked with ease.
But ultimately, you are just going to be my biggest challenge in LAW. There’s no debating that. Why?
Because you want to be the one to send me packing. You want to be the one to say that you beat the hottest thing in LAW in your first defense of the title. You want to do that. But you can’t. And you won’t. I won’t let you. Think what you want about if I respect you or not. It won’t change the outcome of this match.
It’s just like I said before: No direction. You can’t decide if you are sure I have no respect for you, or not. You can’t decide if I piss you off, or if something I said brought some sort of admiration to your mind. But I know what I want, and I know exactly how to get it.
You want to show everyone that no one is ready to be where you’re at, Oni? Hah.
I’ve been where you are at for the last month or so, I just haven’t had the championship to prove that. But that changes at Validation, let me tell you.
I meant what I said on the ‘Hot Seat’. I do not fear you, and I truly believe I can beat you. You can find that offensive if you truly like, but ask yourself this:
What business would I have being in this match if I truly didn’t believe that I could beat you? Not just hang in the ring with you, but beat you and become the new LAW champion. Didn’t you think the same when you faced Mackenzie Roberts? If you didn’t, then I am truly convinced that you might have just gotten lucky there. Because anything short of complete confidence in oneself means that you are throwing yourself in your own way.
I refuse to be an obstacle to myself. You are one plenty enough.
But you will be one that I overcome, I promise you that.
Step to the table, Oni. I can’t wait to clean you out, and leave you with nothing.
(Off Camera)
Marcia fluttered her eyes and then fully opened them. The last thing she remembered was the sickening crack of bulletproof glass doing its job. She assumed that her psyche was just overloaded, and she passed out. Reaching back a little, she remembered something that warmed her old heart.
Her daughter, Katharine, pressed against her.
She had long ago given up hope that she would ever see her little girl ever again. But the mysterious man known as Hiro Nagashima brought her about.
A small bit of annoyance over having to potentially start her life all over again rose within her, but she reminded herself that it may have been for the best.
Katharine was back in her life. After decades of depression and lack of closure, there she was, next to her.
"Fujiko-chan?"
Marcia snapped out of her introspection. To her, his insistence on that name bit at her. To her, the girl--no, she couldn’t think of her that way anymore. She was a woman now. But her name was Katharine. Katharine Aleanne Gardener. Child of a woman who caught a few unlucky breaks, and had a father that abandoned her the moment that he came. He was in her, for such a short time that she didn’t even remember his face.
In either event, she did not respond. She’d shifted away from Marcia’s shoulder and turned her head down.
"Her name is Katharine, sir. I named her so."
Hiro barely batted an eyelash in his response. "I think you’ll find the two of us in general disagreement on that. She’s known the name I’ve given her since she could formulate memories. To her, that’s always been her name, and it will not change just from your suggestion."
She noted that the other man in the truck, named Jeeves, remained quiet throughout this. A side glance at the sleeping Katharine strengthened her resolve.
"I am her mother, and that’s the name I gave her!"
She barely got the sentence out before Hiro quipped back.
"You have not been her parent for nearly twenty years. You have no documentation, only your memories. In a court, you would drown and lose."
Marcia gave out a short gasp, surprised at how cold and rude he was. She stammered for a moment, but then was interrupted by Hiro.
"My...apologies, Ms. Gardener, but you will have to understand that I have placed my entire life’s work into her upbringing. I took to running from the Sumiyoshi-kai, and have been hiding in America for nearly twelve years. I am...protective of her."
Kiel Jeeves took this moment to interject.
"What Hiro is trying to say is: He feels strongly for Fujiko in a paternal sense, and while he is pleased to have given Fujiko the closure that she required; you are something of a threat to him. He was kind of hoping that this would be a one time thing."
Marcia raised her eyebrow. The silence that came after clued Kiel in to continuing.
"We, being Hiro and myself, were hoping that we would go in, you would talk to Fujiko. She’d get pissed at you, and then best case scenario, you two would make up, and then we could be on our merry way. Fujiko has a life that she’s been living even since you had to leave her. We have to get her back to it. It was kind of foolish for us to do this, but there was no way she was going to have the ability to focus on everything that was coming her way. So, stupid or not, it’s why we’re here. We just didn’t suspect a tail."
Marcia took that in quickly, but couldn’t help but let curiosity and confusion filter in.
"Another...another life? The Sumiyoshi? What is all of this information?"She started. The two of them paused for a moment, leaving Marcia to ponder their meaning on her own. "Would you like to explain things, or should I?"
Hiro sighed, which Marcia wasn’t sure meant she should be offended or not. He turned to face, her, and kept a low tone as he spoke.
"Fujiko-chan has become…"Marcia squinted out of frustration, but Hiro’s cold gaze told her that he wasn’t going to budge. "--Something of a famous professional fighter. She was taught by myself, and another, who I have met in my travels. At present, she has several very important matches to focus on."
"A fighter…?"
"A professional wrestler, more like. And we don’t need to hear nonsense about it being fake. Please continue."
Hiro did as asked. "She is currently employed in two separate companies. One of which is female only, and the other which is co-ed competition. She seeks to attain supreme glory in both. Three matches will determine this. Two of which occur this Saturday."
Her eyes flew open. "This Saturday?! Truly?!"
"That’s right, Ms. Gardener. In my humble opinion, I think you should feel quite flattered. She is setting aside three of the biggest moments of her life...to risk meeting you, and consequently, being shot at and left for dead in some ditch in a remote part of India."
There was another silence here. Marcia knew not what to say. Her daughter...a popular fighter? She couldn’t place the feeling that hit her. She fought so hard to keep Katharine safe from her Yakuza masters, and now she was fighting men and women for sport...and glory. It felt...like a Greek myth tale. She felt her chest swell with some pride. It was an unexpected feeling to have, she noted.
"These matches will be a true test of her skill, cunning, and ability. Then, she will only have a week before she faces another large test. A major championship opportunity. Her first major championship, in fact. So the added stress of this is enough. We don’t need to add anything further to her ‘plate’, so to speak."
Kiel spoke up again.
"So, we will be getting you into America. We can deal with your feelings and Fujiko’s feelings after Saturday, at the earliest."
"and Heaven knows what mood she will be in after Saturday night. She could be on the absolute top of the world…"
"Or she could feel as if she hit rock bottom, after losing everything."
"I...really...I didn’t think--"
"No, no thought was given on your end about this. We do not blame you. You were merely thinking that this was your opportunity to mend the bridge that you regret was broken. To retrieve what you always thought was lost, so to speak."
"But we’ve been taking grand care of her. She’s rarely wanted for anything. Between our employer and Hiro himself, she’s gotten the best training, the best equipment, and the best upbringing we could bring to her. We taught her English, we taught her manners, and we’ve taught her how to defend herself, both in the ring and out. Unfortunately, I don’t think you would have been able to give her such an upbringing."
Marcia furrowed her brow. She took offense to this.
"I may not have been had all your fancy things, but I could have raised her well! I would have, if I could’ve found her in that wreckage--"
"But I did. I did find her, and I removed her from the building before it was destroyed. I gave her the life that I thought was best for her. We could argue this all the way back to America, if you like, but hindsight does not serve you well here. So know that there is only so much of the past you can fight for, before you realize that only fighting for your place in her future will provide you with a positive outcome."
There is a bit of silence, before Kiel clears his throat to speak up.
"Listen, we are willing to commit to keeping you in Fujiko’s life as best as we can. But there are so many variables. There are the Sumiyoshi-kai that somehow found out that Hiro and Fujiko were meeting you in India. There is the dilemma of getting you safely hidden in the United States. And most importantly, there are Fujiko’s feelings on the matter. No matter what, if Fujiko doesn’t want you in her life, ultimately: You won’t be."
Marcia had never even considered that possibility. That Katharine, her daughter, would not want her there. She had done no wrong to her; she tried to rescue her every step of the way. But she failed.
Maybe that’s what it was. Simply that she’d failed Katharine as a mother. Even as she put one hundred and fifty percent into it, and risked her own existence, she still failed.
"Ms. Gardener, I feel that as well as I know Fujiko-chan, and from my past experiences, you will be forgiven. But it may not happen the way you wish it to. It may be on her terms, and that may not be as quickly as you like. This is not a threat, but a warning...so that your heart is not broken as ours once were."
She blinks again, confusion settling in. Hiro exhaled, and then spoke.
"There was a time in which she ran off on her own. She was of age at the time, but it made it no less dangerous. She went missing for several months, without contact to anyone that she knew. It was...a dark time in all of our lives."
He turns his head down, clearly affected by it. Bringing it up seemed to drain any fight he had brewing behind his eyes. She chose not to torture him further with it.
"Perhaps I can be updated on all of this?"
Hiro gave her a curt nod.
"In time, I imagine you will be. But for now, we need to focus on the immediate. That is making sure that she is prepared for the battles that lie directly ahead, and give her time to focus on that. As for you: We will do our best to keep you safe, we assure you. Now I suggest you rest. The travel will be weary upon you, otherwise."
That information hit Marcia slowly, and she sighed. A glance over at Katharine calmed her heart a little bit. She let her thoughts shift over to the fact that she was ripped from hiding and dumped into America...with her long lost daughter, and two men she’d barely known.
She decided to keep her mouth closed on it for now.
For Katharine.
She’d have to be strong again. She would have to bring back the strong woman who tried to save her in the first place. So that her girl could persevere.
It would be hard, knowing that she’d recovered what she’d lost, but had to let it go again; albeit temporarily.
She could do it.
For her.
Saturday, May 16th, 2015
6:15pm
Fujiko rolled her shoulders carefully. Next to her was her FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy championship. She wore a white and grey version of her ring attire, a full legged singlet with the back cut out mid back, and the top tied behind her neck. The plunging neck showcased ample cleavage. She then bent down to lace up her boots. She kept an emotionless face, forgetting that for once, she was not alone in the room.
"Do you feel you are ready, Fujiko-chan?"
Fujiko did not look up, just nodding. In the locker room with her alongside Hiro was Marcia Gardener. She stood in awe of everything. She saw the name “Fujiko Mine” on the door, the extravagant (at least, to her) costume Fujiko was sporting, and the (admittedly) heavy championship belt. Fujiko and Hiro explained to her the concept of the ladder match she was about to participate in, and then following it up with the multi-man battle royal later in the night.
"Kathar...Fujiko?"
Fujiko switched her gaze over to her mother.
"Please, please...be careful out there."
Fujiko seemed to process the request with a blank face. She then slowly rose to her feet, and grabbed the Mid Atlantic Legacy championship. She hoisted it over her shoulder, and slightly narrowed her eyes as she closed the distance between them.
"I make no promises. But what I will promise? Is that nothing that has happened to me in the past week will negatively affect the outcome of tonight. I’m going to that ring, and kicking the crap out of Noelle Smith. And then I’m going to grab my belt, and then come back here. I’m going to meditate in silence, and then I’m going to go back out there, and win that gold rush rumble."
Fujiko arrogantly pats the title on her shoulder.
"And THEN? Then I’m going to go to Validation, and I’m going to stare down Oni, the Ladies All-Star Wrestling champion. I’m going to have the battle of my career, and then I’m going to beat her, and put that title right here."
She casually points to her bare left shoulder.
"Oni, Noelle, Tony Carmine, Kate Steele, none of them can stop me. So I’m sorry mother, but ‘careful’ is the last thing on my mind. I’m not thinking careful at all. I’m just thinking about shutting up everyone who ever said ‘I wasn’t any good’, or that ‘I’m worthless’. I just hope that you’ll have it in you to forgive me for one, and you’ll be proud of me, just like he has been."
She points to Hiro, who keeps his eyes locked on Marcia. Silence filled the room for a few moments, and then Marcia gave a weak smile.
"I...just...Fu...Fujiko."
Fujiko did not respond.
"I just...I can’t help but be proud. So very proud. I love you."
Fujiko’s breath caught in her throat. A few tears stung at her eyes, but she fought them back. With a thought, she closed the gap completely and gave her a quick hug.
"Th-thank you. Truly."
Fujiko blinked back a couple more tears, and then smiled. She took in a slight breath, and then moved to the door. She reached it, and then paused, before exhaling and heading through the door. It closed with a soft click, and Fujiko was gone. A few stray tears cascaded down Marcia’s tears as soon as she was gone. Hiro did not move, though Marcia had the feeling that he wanted to comfort her somehow. She wiped away those tears and looked him in the eyes.
"What was that?"
Hiro folded his arms.
"Her persona, her character."
Marcia squinted in thought.
"Even the outfit and all?"
Hiro let forth a mirthless chuckle.
"It is who she is. Even as a parent, we have no jurisdiction over this."
Marcia chewed at the inside of her lip. She didn’t know how she felt about that, but he was right. There was nothing that she could do.
"And the persona?"
Hiro chuckled again, also without mirth.
"It is her shield, her wall. In her place, I would have to put it up, too. I imagine while it would not be in that particular form, you will be seeing plenty of her defense mechanisms for a while."
This answer did nothing to please Marcia. She felt useless at this juncture. A glance from Hiro seemed to tell her ‘get used to it.’
"Does it ever become any easier?"
Hiro tilted his head slightly.
"You mean watching her walk away, headlong into danger? Where she could end up permanently injured, or worse?"
Marcia grit her teeth. The hypothetical pain of that was more than she wanted to confront.
"No. It does not."
"I suppose I should get used to it, then."