Work In Progress

Taylor automatically dug her elbows down in front of her, into Akashi's chest, to keep from getting crushed to death by the sumo's exuberant hug.

"I'm good, come play with me!" She said, hanging in the air, her feet patiently waiting to find the ground again. "We haven't just hung out in forever, and I took the train just for you. Let's get dinner."

"Hai!"

Akashi chirped as she put Taylor down. She smiled and looked Taylor over. "It's been a while, Imouto-chan. Why don't we get some food and have a few drinks. That'll be great!"

Akashi an arm around Taylor. "I can't wait to catch up!" She said as though they hadn't talked in ages.

"So I'm feeling really good now," Taylor said with a smile as she knelt at the traditional-style restaurant table. She said it again, at least for her own benefit. "I feel really good. Like, my face is healing up... My nose is still a clusterfuck, but my ass is in one piece!" She laughed convincingly. "Who really looks at my face, anyway?"

She and Akashi had been to this restaurant in the past. The first time was Akashi's treat, and she had asked the young rookie Taylor to be her tag partner. Kamikaze was born. The next time, they were both experienced wrestlers, and they caught up on all of each other's lives that they had missed during their heated feud. This time... things looked a bit bleaker.

"But yeah, I mean at least I got the title, right? And I kind of defended it..." Saying that felt so empty to her. "I'll get it back. I don't know how, but I'm going to do everything I can to get a fair match."

"You look good, Imouto-chan." Akashi chirped with a pleasant smile on her face. She never really thought about noses too much, so Taylor's fussing over it seemed a little silly to the Sumo.

"You defended it well, Imouto-chan. You'll get the title back, I'm sure. You shouldn't beat yourself up about it though. There's plenty of people who will be glad to do that for you." Akashi laughed.

"It's good to think the way you do. It means you haven't lost your drive. But... The pain of loss never really goes away. And, that's not bad either. I'm still upset at losing the title, even though I don't think about it as much."

"I beat Sarah-san and I still think that the title Kelly has now is mine, just like you. And I'll get it back, just like you. I'll bet Tenshi-chan feels the same. Conway-san will too, when you take her title."

Akashi smiled pleasantly. "I'm all fired up now!"

"Yeah, I just feel really good now," Taylor echoed again. She nodded with a painted on smile while Akashi spoke. She certainly didn't need a lecture about the pain of defeat.

"Awwww! You mean I'm gonna end up a sad sack of shit like you guys?" She joked with a laugh. "Well, I don't plan on his regretting stuff. I'm gonna fight and I'm gonna win. I owe Conway... A lot. A real fuckin lot."

Akashi stuck her tongue out and pulled down her eyelid. "Nnnnn! You already are." Akashi retorted. "But I wouldn't mind ringing Conway-san's neck as well. Not even for a title. Just cause she needs it."

Akashi paused and took a cup of sake. "I've never regretted anything I've done." She held the cup up high. "Kanpai!" Akashi threw back her sake.

"Yeah!" Taylor threw back her shot of sake as well.

She thought about what Akashi had said, and I troubled her. "I regret... Lots. Tons of shit. I wish I could've been like I am now five years ago. But... You don't regret headbutting me in the face when I got out of the hospital? Or replacing me in Kamikaze with Talia? Or fucking Talia, or Adrian, or... You get the idea. I regret a lot because I want to be something good to people, and I've been so shitty to so many people. I hate it."

Akashi began to pour another shot for both of them as Taylor began to speak. Once she finished, Akashi slid the shot to Taylor. "No, none of it. I'm not saying those were good moments for me, but I don't regret them. It's because right at this moment, I'm in a place I enjoy having a drink with my sister, who I love more than anything in this world, and I couldn't be happier."

Akashi looked over Taylor. "This moment wouldn't be possible without all those other moments. The good, and the bad. Those things I did, especially to you, were terrible and, probably, unforgivable but, our bond is stronger because of those trials and I learned a lot, about myself and everyone because I made those mistakes. They help male moments like this even more precious and special."

Akashi's reddened cheeks hid her blush. "I just wish I could take away all your troubles, imouto-chan. As your sister, your pain is mine. It hurts even more knowing you've done everything right."

Akashi lifted her head. "No matter what, I'm proud of you and I know you'll see this through properly. Kanpai!"

Akashi threw back her second shot.

"Whooo..."

Taylor downed the second shot, for her fourth drink of the day. As someone who never, ever drank, as a rule, all of it was going to her head in a hurry.

"Yeah, don't worry. I was really upset about it at first, but I'm totally good now. I'm not even worried." She reached across the table and patted Akashi on the shoulder with a smile. "But I have been drinking a lot lately. Well, a lot for me... Ya know, I've been drinking at all lately. I guess I'm just kinda trying to lighten up a little. That's good, right?"

Akashi took the shot with ease. As little as Taylor drank, Akashi drank enough for both of them most of the time. However, she was pretty good at getting the blonde to knock a few back. The two had met over drinks and it was hard to say no to Akashi when she was in the mood.

Akashi nodded. "Haaaai!" She agreed with Taylor. She then got up and crawled over to Taylor and plopped next to her. She wrapped an arm around her and leaned in. "Just take care of yourself, Taylor-chan. I'm always going to worry about you, you know? Because I love you."

Akashi leaned in and kissed Taylor on the cheek. "I'll help you get a fair fight with Conway-san, ok?"