Post by 高村謙信 on Mar 18, 2014 22:24:23 GMT -5
SCENE 1
WHOOSH!
The wind surrounding the kick that had whizzed past over Kenshin’s head had been snapped off so quickly that he could hear it and feel it moving over him. His basic instinct had served him quite well as he handily ducked underneath the would-be knock out blow. Takamura couldn’t just leave it as a miss though, he needed to retaliate. He needed to win, but even then he wouldn't be satisfied because this wasn't what he cared about winning, but at the same time…
As the kick moved on by seemingly in slow motion to Kenshin’s eyes, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest but nothing else. His next move was fluid as he swiped his opponent’s leg from underneath him, using his well-developed biceps to cause the other fighter’s leg to collapse and fall to the ground. Right as his opponent hit the ground, the young Takamura pounced, much like a tiger, atop the other with his fist at the ready for the final blow, but the fight was suddenly broken up… by a referee of sorts.
He could not allow himself to lose. It was a matter of pride and honor. As Kenshin huffed and puffed, he stood up from his mounted position atop his opponent’s chest, and helped the other boy that was about the same age as himself to his feet. There was no bad blood there. It was evident by how both fighters attempted to bow lower than the other before walking away to their sides to await the official decision. The announcer walked to the center of the ring and beckoned both fighters to him. Kenshin, reluctantly, obeyed, taking a spot alongside the announcer. His dark eyes glanced over at the other fighter, who was facing front with proper discipline which reminded Kenshin to do the same.
Announcer: “Go resseki no minasama, koreijō no chitai naku, watashi wa anata ni Tōkyō dōmu chūgakkō inbitēshonaru, Kenshin Takamura no shōsha o happyō!”
Translation: “Ladies and gentlemen, without any further delay, I present to you the winner of the Tokyo Dome Secondary School Invitational, Kenshin Takamura!”
Suddenly, the roar of approval from the crowd was deafening. Kenshin’s eyes went wide as he finally really noticed how many people had just watched him go through multiple fights to get to this. The young Takamura looked around in pure awe; dumbstruck by the immense amount of people he had just competed in front of for the past few days. It was odd how he was only just feeling the butterflies in his stomach, he wanted to puke, as his left hand was raised, pronouncing him the champion of the Invitational.
Before he could do anything else though, a massive trophy was shoved into his hands. As it was, camera flashes began sparkling all around him. There were people yelling out his name from all around, but he couldn’t hear them. His eyes had found their way to his father, Kaito, who was just standing outside the ring, watching the press’ and talent scouts’ onslaught of his son. Kenshin just gaped back at his father with his mouth opened and confusion flooding his face.
Next thing Kenshin knew, he was safe in the locker room, sitting on the bench just staring at one of the many lockers which littered the boys’ changing room. He could hear others in there, but they apparently picked lockers that were far from his own. It didn’t matter to him though. A voice, in Japanese, that Kenshin knew very well chimed in from behind him. It was his father.
Kaito Takamura: “That is quite the trophy, Kenshin. You fought like a true warrior out there. You should be proud of yourself, and that honorable display of sportsmanship. Any man would be proud of such an act from his son. So, tell me, why are you so troubled?”
Kenshin didn’t even bother to look at his father, he knew the old man was just studying his body language. That was what he always did. Kaito knew more about Kenshin’s body language than he knew himself. A sigh escaped the Secondary School Invitational Champion’s lips.
“Well…?”
At length, Kenshin’s eyes drifted over to the trophy then to his father.
Kenshin Takamura: “I do not want it. I don’t care about any of this, fath- Sensei.”
Kenshin quickly corrected himself, knowing that at events and during training, he could only call his father by his formal title of Sensei. Meanwhile, Kaito narrowed his eyes, examining his son closer, trying to understand his logic.
Kaito Takamura: “Why not? You worked hard for this. You fought hard to attain this championship. Why would you fight so hard if it is not what you wanted?”
His son mumbled something under his breath, but Kaito couldn’t quite make out what he had said.
“I cannot understand your mumbling, Kenshin. Speak like a man.”
The command had come out sternly, but quickly received a more audible response from Kenshin.
Kenshin Takamura: “Because it was what you wanted…”
Finally, Kenshin’s eyes came to meet his father’s own dark eyes. There was something behind those eyes that Kaito could see as he looked into Kenshin’s pupils. Emptiness perhaps? Next thing he knew, Kenshin had picked up the big trophy and handed it over to his father.
“Here, Sensei. I attained this in your honor so, please, keep it.”
A forced smile cracked across Kenshin’s young yet handsome features. He wasn’t, in anyway, angry with his father. In fact, the total opposite, he was glad his father had taught him to be such a talented fighter, but he had unfinished business to deal with.
Kaito Takamura: “Speak with me for a moment, son.”
Kaito took a seat beside Kenshin and let his arm fall over the teenager’s already broad shoulders.
“Listen, son, I know you are worried about your mother, but, remember, she is a woman; a very strong woman. She has fended off Shinji many a time, remember?”
Kenshin simply nodded, trying to hide the fact that he was touched by the fact that his father’s arm was over his shoulder. He couldn’t lie, his father hadn’t always been the most fatherly type. In fact, he tended to be more like Kenshin’s martial arts instructor than a relative of his, but he had been okay with that for so many years. Here Kaito was though being a father to him when he really needed him.
“For now, Kenshin, I want you to just let yourself relax. Your mother is fine. Plus, you must remember, a restraining order has been placed upon Shinji. If he steps near her, you are well within your right to dispense justice, but, Kenshin, that means she is on her way to ridding her life of him. So do yourself a favor, enjoy the wins when you can get the opportunity.”
Kaito set aside the trophy before he used his arm to draw his son closer to him.
“You did a great job out there today, Kenshin. You showed real spirit out in that ring, and remained honorable as the winner. This trophy is yours, but if you do not want it. I have the perfect place for it…”
That was the first time the country of Japan had taken notice of the talented teenager known as Kenshin Takamura, but it wasn’t the last. As for Kenshin’s trophy, it still sits in the trophy display of the dojo that Kaito had run for so long. Unbeknownst to Kenshin at the time though, he wouldn’t have much more time with his father. A silent killer was ailing Kaito, but the old man opted not to burden the boy with such trivialities…
SCENE 2
The moon still hovered high in the sky yet it was beginning to vanish right in its spot thanks to the sun that threatened to push itself over the horizon at any moment. Purples, oranges, and reds were beginning to span across the vast morning sky as stars became invisible seemingly by the thousands, millions even.
“I’ve done this before, in fact, this is how I got my first kiss. Mind you it was awkward… But, uh, c’mon, Kenshin, you can’t tell me that you haven’t just laid out on the hood of a car, stared up at the stars, and waited for the sun to rise. Look how beautiful this is! You are such a dummy…”
“Well, I guess, but there isn’t a car hood anywhere near us…”
Kenshin Takamura pointed this out rather sarcastically yet playfully at the same time. MJ bumps her head into his back with a sigh. They were, after all, sitting on his murdered-out Hayabusa. Kenshin sat on the seat with MJ behind him like they were about to go on a ride yet Kenshin’s feet anchored them to the ground, holding the bike steady. There was also the fact that the motorcycle wasn't actually running. He turned just enough so that he could look back at MJ for her reaction with a taunting smirk upon his features as she scowled at him.
MJ Bell: “That isn't what I meant… It was just an example of how these situations normally play out.”
Kenshin Takamura: “These situations?”
As they spoke, the sun continued to invade the moon’s sky causing it to slowly disappear from the growing blue meadow above. As the sun continued to rise, it cast a blue rainbow of colors across the sky, painting a gorgeous picture for any who might be watching. The waves of the beach that they had parked on didn’t hurt the scene either. It was so serene, but, oddly enough, the two were much more focused on one another.
Kenshin’s dark eyes gazed deeply into MJ’s own hazel eyes then his eyes glanced down at her lips just for a split second. Slowly, they both began to move in toward one another.
“Is this what you mean by these si…?”
Takamura’s voice trailed off as their lips came within mere centimeters from one another as the sun came up behind them, casting their silhouette only. Their lips were a mere hair’s width away from pressing together when a loud pop song began to play. MJ jumped away from Kenshin with a soft groan. Meanwhile, Kenshin turned back to facing front on his bike as the sun continued on its journey up into the sky.
MJ Bell: “What Melissa?!”
She didn't allow Melissa to talk though.
At this point, both MJ and Kenshin seemed a little irritated. They had been a mere second away from kissing one another. Something that had been expected by everyone except them. Go figure.
“Can I call you back later?”
Unfortunately, even as she was hanging up the phone, the sun was officially up in the sky. The moment had passed. Kenshin hid his disappointment. MJ ran her fingers back through her hair as she inhaled. An awkward silence caused a gap causing Kenshin to fidget with his handlebar just a bit.
“So, how do you feel about your match?”
MJ cringed as she asked the obliviously forced question, but Kenshin didn’t seem to mind answering.
Kenshin Takamura: “Well, what is there really to say? Scott Syren is an important part of OCW’s past. Just like TGO, he has yet to accept that OCW is a different place. Aside from the company being rather small, it has a talented roster that could arguably be more talented than the wrestlers the locker room held back in the heyday of OCW. Yes, the OCW legends have their inside jokes that we may never get, but it doesn’t matter when they are the ones on the outside looking in. I mean, he has a title that isn’t even recognized anymore.”
MJ Bell: “I’ve always had respect for the OCW vets but they have to learn that we are pushovers. Scott Syren needs to know that you are the champion and he can’t just walk in and expect to take it away without a fight.”
Kenshin Takamura: “Honestly…”
Kenshin began speaking as he turned toward her once more, twisting his torso toward MJ so he could look at her as he spoke.
“I don’t think Syren has that misconception. Yes, he likes to act like an ignorant bigot, but I don’t think that’s the real Scott Syren. My gut tells me that he actually has respect for me. Likewise, I have the utmost respect for what he’s done in this business, but that doesn’t mean I am going to allow him to just walk off with my title like you said. I have too much respect for that championship to do that. Noah and I put one another through hell to decide who would represent that championship, and I will be damned if I am going to allow Syren to disrespect it by merging it with a title that no longer holds any real value.”
Passion flared in Kenshin’s dark eyes as he spoke, MJ could clearly see that she fueled a bit of a fire in the International Superstar by bringing the subject up. This was the business Kenshin had been born for after all; his passion.
MJ Bell: “Bigot. That is a new one.”
Kenshin didn't wait for her to continue, he cut it almost immediately as she finished that sentence.
Kenshin Takamura: “Don’t get hung up on the minor points. I mean, the man has made it perfectly clear that, despite the respect he might have for me, he has no respect for the Internet Championship, and I take that as a personal insult. Especially coming from a guy carrying around a title belt that Mario Maurako carelessly tossed into a river somewhere. According to OCW, that belt is no more than a paperweight, or in Syren’s case, an oddly shaped anchor.”
Yes, with a few simple remarks, MJ had encouraged Kenshin to hop up on his soap box. It was a bit of a new reaction from him for her and may have caught her a bit by surprise.
MJ Bell: “I can’t believe he is putting so much effort in a title he doesn’t care about. That doesn’t make any sense…”
Kenshin Takamura: “And that is exactly why I cannot allow him to win at Black Out. I have to win to keep the Internet Championship’s integrity intact.”
Takamura allowed a slightly stressed out sigh to escape his lips. He needed to quit thinking about the whole thing. Maybe some breakfast would help.
“Are you hungry?”
What a ridiculous question. Of course she was. MJ was always hungry. Kenshin knew better than to ask such a question. She flashed him an innocent smile which forced a small smile to crack across his face too. He silently noted to himself that MJ was very good at turning his mood like that.
MJ Bell: “If you’re buying...”
After she said that, he turned in his seat to face front once more, grabbing up his helmet, but addressing her before putting it on.
Kenshin Takamura: “Oh, of course.”
With that, MJ put on her own helmet that had been hanging on the back of the bike as Kenshin revved up the motorcycle. The bike roared to life then growled as Takamura idled then revved it once more, sending its ferocious roars to echo throughout the surrounding area before speeding off. As he did, MJ’s hands clutched tightly to Kenshin’s torso as she pulled herself up close to him, pressing her own body against his as he expertly navigated the streets toward their destination.
