A Duel of the Martial Princesses (Kena vs. Makoto)

Makoto opened the door to the dojo, smiling upon feeling the sensation of her heart pounding under her white gi. Across the floor she saw her opponent kneeling, waiting patiently for her. She locked eyes with her rival and recognized a familiar fierce energy in her opponent's expression. She was a small fighter from the lightweight league. But Makoto had seen some of her fights. She knew she didn't make a mistake in choosing her for her debut match. She had a tiger's spirit, and Makoto wanted to fight nothing less than a tiger for her debut match.

Her managers had tried to talk her out of it, of course. They suggested far less severe match stipulations. Having to bow before a lightweight and kiss her foot to end her first match at the AFW...that would destroy the reputation her undefeated streak in MMA established. But Makoto loved that she was risking her reputation on this fight. Her opponent was taking a huge risk fighting above her league. Makoto wanted to honor that risk. Merciless though she was the martial arts princess believed in fairness.

Makoto gave a brash salute to the group of watchers kneeling by the tatami mat in the center of the dojo and walked forward to kneel before her opponent. She placed the Natsuki dojo's sign across from Kena's sign. The weathered letters roughly translated to "No Improvement Without Risk".

Makoto spent a few seconds staring at her rival's calm, combat-ready expression before breaking into a pleased smile.

"You got a lot of courage to take up this challenge. I have to say I'm impressed. I've fought so many professional martial artists, so many prize fighters...and let me tell you none of them would have the guts to risk the pride you're risking now. Whatever happens you have my respect Kena."

Kena gave a polite lowering of her head and Makoto returned the gesture.

"You're fighting for your family's legacy." She said. "But so am I. And I'm not going to hold back either. I respect you too much to hold back. We're two jungle cats about to engage to a duel to the death-the death of our pride. You try to break me, and I'll try to break you. I know you know what I'm talking about. I can see it in your eyes. The fighting instinct...the desire to dominate your opponent...yeah, you know exactly what I'm talking about."

Kena stood up and gave a polite bow, introducing herself. And like her reflected Makoto repeated the formality. "I am Makoto Natsuki, practitioner of Natsuki-style martial arts. I'm not the owner of the dojo yet, but one day I will be. And I'm afraid I'm not going to treat you very well at all today."

Makoto cracked her knuckles.

"Last chance to quit Kena." The no-limits challenger said cockily. "The very last chance. Because whatever skills your style's given you? Whatever strength your honored grandmother's legacy's given you? It's. Not. Enough. Not against me. I am the superior fighter with the superior style. And if you fight me everyone will know it when they see you in your underwear kneel down before me and admit it all before kissing my foot. There is no way you can make me kiss the foot of a lightweight fighter from an inferior dojo."

Wow... she's... really into this. Kena hadn't expected that declaration coming from someone that was being so respectful until now, but served to steel her resolve. She was right, this was a fight of killing pride, and the loser would leave shamed and nearly naked. That wasn't a fate Kena could risk, if not for her late grandmother's sake then at least for herself. She wasn't going to just let this woman call her martial art inferior and get away with it without a few cuts and bruises to show for it.

She took a calming breath, going into her fighting stances. Fists raised, legs apart, ready and waiting for battle. "I have no intention of running Natsuki-san." She stated. "And I have intention of showing mercy after what you just said. Please prepare yourself, I plan to show you the true brutality of my fighting style."

"Good." Makoto smirked as she dropped into a fighting stance. "I don't give mercy when I fight, so I don't expect it."

Makoto's eyes became cold and fierce. "And if you want to avoid the death of your pride you better kill mine. This is kill or be killed! Now are you a tiger, or are you a kitten?" Makoto verbally poked at Kena. She wanted to see the calm, polite fighter roar.

Makoto grinned as Kena fired an anger-filled punch at her gut. Hoping to take advantage of her height advantage she leaned back and shot a foot out at Kena's chin.

Makoto felt the satisfying sensation of foot meeting face. Kena stumbled, corrected her balance, and snapped back into a stance.

Kena surged toward Makoto with another punch targeted toward her stomach.

"Same move?" Makoto said moving to grab her arm. "They teach only one strike in your style?" Makoto would try to fling Kena over her shoulder and slam her back down onto the mat. "Here's hoping you know more grappling moves than you know strikes."