The Sweet Divas of Berserk Reunite!

"NNNnnngh!" Elena struggled against Sakura, neither one of them able to make the other budge! Dead-equal, all the two divas could do was push and push, hoping that one of them would give out before their own strength failed them! Elena planted her feet HARD and lowered herself, aiming to make herself a ROCK, unable to be budged by her friend and rival... both mentally and physically! Sakura begged her to let her in, to EXPLAIN how she felt... But it was more than difficult to try and go into detail about your feelings to someone you admire... someone you might've even hated in a callow fit of jealousy. After locking your heart away for so long in order to keep yourself under control... Finding the key to undo it all AND during a fight was like... Like cleaning your room when you're stumbling around drunk!

IT WAS HARD!

...but Sakura was determined... And Elena really did care about her... Damn it... Confliction seemed to be the name of her struggles... On the one hand, her desire to overcome Sakura and become her OWN person was... downright obsessive. She knew this and yet... It was one thing to acknowledge an addiction and another to do anything about it... God, it was so HARD to think of Sakura as anything other than how she had, a goal to overcome... a mirror for her own insecurities to project off of.

...On the other hand... Sakura had never been ANYTHING but supportive towards her. No matter if it was Sweet Divas or wrestling, she had her back constantly... Guilt sat and festered in Elena's heart because... because Sakura didn't DESERVE this! The whole reason she got into Berserk in the FIRST place was to put Rio in her place for her! She trained JUST to get back at that white-haired bit-.... to get back at Rio and what did Elena do...? Come after her to try and take a spotlight she never had.

"Nnnnngh... I just... Why is it always you?" Elena exclaimed through clenched teeth, leaning further and further into Sakura, so close their lips were nearly touching! "Every time... I can't measure up... Every time I.... Nnngh... fall down... You're always there! You... pick up my slack! I... I can't stand... that I can't... do it myself... that you have to... help me along...!" The anger in Elena's eyes seemed to fade with each word, revealing behind it a chilling, fearful look, the gaze of a woman desperate to prove herself! "You... you... became my... my goal... I have to... show I'm strong... too! Or... I won't be able to... forgive myself!"

Their arms were trembling in effort, both women were pressed together locked in a mental and physical battle. This was no ordinary grapple, both Hagiwara and Elena were fighting for something. Sakura knew that with determination, Elena could do anything but it was the same with Sakura! What would happen if their determinations would clash, an immovable object vs a unstoppable force.

Regardless of how Sakura felt about Elena, she still wanted to make good on her promise on becoming the strongest in the word. For that, she must even beat Elena if she had to. Sakura would stop talking altogether, she only listened to what Elena had to say. Misaki had done the same for her all those years ago, she just let Elena talk to let it all out.

The orange haired wrestler moved in close, their lips almost touched when she spoke which caused Sakura to blush immensely and lose her focus, allowing Elena to back her up a bit. "You are strong Elena-chan" she finally broke her silence after being pushed back.

"Let's get stronger together" she said with a smile, finally breaking the grapple and moving behind her friend, looking to wrap her arm around Elena's waist to give her a firm squeeze before attempting a German suplex to launch Elena off her feet and slam her down on her back.

Elena blushed too when she realized how close and intimate both she and Sakura had gotten, the two of them practically kissing with each word they spoke! She had always thought of her best friend as "cute"... after all, one had to be if they were going to be a Sweet Diva... but from where she was standing, she was really... quite beautiful... Attractive even. The way her eyes looked into hers, how they shimmered in the light, how strong and tough she was despite being as in-contact with her feminine side as anyone... How lucky she was with the body she'd been given, being downright hot... In fact, if they were just a little closer, she could... They would...

Elena blinked, shocked and confused about the thoughts running through her head! She'd never had TIME to even consider having relationships before, Elena far too focused on her career and her friends to even make time for such things... Sure, the odd word or acknowledgement had fluttered through her brain before but... but never had it come on this strong! If... if she didn't regain control when she did, they would've...

Made out...?

Elena suddenly had a strong urge to back away, to call this all off so she could bury her face in her pillows and scream... but Sakura was actually the first to give, Elena pushing her back a step or two towards the ropes! In response to Elena's insecurities, her rival only smiled and recognized her strength plainly, the redhead's blush spreading farther across her face as her eyes widened... She wanted to grow stronger with her, so that they both could reach their maximum potential... Elena's heart throbbed in her chest softly, that urge to take Sakura in her arms FLASHING across her strongly once more!

"Oh, Sakura... I..."

...Was all Elena got to say before her friend went on the offensive! Gasping, Elena stumbled forward as Sakura broke their grapple, slipping around behind her and wrapping her arms around her waist! Shocked, the only thing the former Blue Panther could do was let out a cry of surprise as she was PLANTED into the floor back first in a devastating German Suplex!

"GAH!"

There were a lot of emotions running through the minds of both women. Elena seemed to be having more conflicted emotions than Sakura. Hagiwara could see it in the eyes of her best friend that something was bothering the former Blue Panther. Sakura suspected that it was once again the feeling of fighting her best friend versus trying to show everyone that Elena was not in the shadow of Sakura. However, this time Hagiwara had guessed wrong and Elena was conflicted for an entirely different reason, one that was not grasped by Sakura just yet.

Even so, her words of encouragement had seemed to shock Elena who seem to be taken aback by Hagiwara's words. Her words were not just empty words though as her actions soon followed. Sakura quickly turned to Elena's back and slammed her down on her back upon executing a German Suplex.

"Hah....." Sakura would pant, quickly turning over onto all fours and crawled towards the downed orange haired wrestler. Once close enough, Sakura would grab her friend by the shoulders and shift her up to a seated position whilst she sat behind her. Sakura would attempt to wrap her arm around the neck of Elena while her legs would try to lock themselves around Elena's waist as Sakura went for a body scissor and sleeper submission.

Stunned by the sudden and POWERFUL suplex of her rival, Elena was practically laid FLAT out on her back, more vulnerable than ever! Emotionally exposed and with her body laid sprawled, it was of no trouble for Sakura to take advantage, slipping around behind Elena and helping her up into a sitting position! From there, the drowsy red-head would find her neck and body constricted by both legs and arms, Sakura locking her down in a firm sleeper/scissor hold combination, squeezing both her body for an impossibly good grip... and her neck in an effort to DRAG her down and squeeze the life from her throat!

"NNngh...Gh...." She grunted loudly as Sakura's weight and the constriction of her forearm against her throat TUGGED her windpipe shut, the former blue panther's hand sluggishly slithering up to gasp at her new leash... weakly trying to pull it loose! It accomplish nothing, however... and all the flailing in the world would obtain similar results. Sakura was in a firm, protected and strong position, locked safely behind her opponent where only dishonorable tactics would reach, Elena's desperate grunts and writhes doing little to help her slither out of her friend's worthy hold!

...Did... did she already lose...?

"Ngh... Saku....ra..." Elena gasped, her cheeks starting to burn a raw, steamy red from her exertion! "I... I give.... I GIVE....okay...?" Her hand limply patted along her friend's arm, indicating a tap out, her blue eyes watery with breathlessness and desperation!

The orange haired wrestler laid there on her back, in her state of confusion she was caught off guard by Sakura who inadvertently took advantage of that situation. From there, Elena didn't offer too much of a fight or struggle either as Sakura would grab the head of her best friend and pull her up in a seated position.

Hagiwara would remember the lessons she received from Misaki Toyoda and quickly trapped Elena in a body scissor and sleeperhold submission. Hagiwara would fall to her side and take Elena with her, squeezing the life out of her until her friend would submit, pass out or find a way out of the submission.

The former Blue Panther did her best to to struggle, her hand moved up to Sakura's and tried to pry it off her neck but there was not much force being her efforts. Sakura wanted Elena to escape, she wanted Elena to dig deep and find a way out but at the same time she didn't want to just let her escape either, that would be lying to her best friend.

Then it came, the verbal submission followed with a tap to the arms of Sakura indicating a submission. Sakura thought about it, long ago when Misaki was sparring with Sakura, the Ace of Berserk refused to let go of Sakura even after she gave up to teach her a lesson. However, Sakura was not as strict as Misaki and she could never be so against her friend.

With a deep sigh, Sakura would release her opponent and would gently roll her over onto her back. Hagiwara stayed on her knees next to Elena, gently brushing her hair back and caressing her friend's sweaty face to make sure she was alright. "H-hey, Elena-chan, are you alright?" she said, her voice showing genuine concern. Sakura was also panting in exertion, the former Sweet Diva's body glistening under the gym lights due to the sweat she had worked up in the spar.

Elena glanced over at Sakura as she knelt by her side, the two of them gasping for air as their fight had come to a close... in Hagiwara's victory... To be honest, she didn't truly feel bad about losing this time around... It felt almost... right in a way, something that solidified Elena's resolve in a sort of healthy fashion compared to the spite and jealousy that brought her down this path before! As Sakura gently cupped her face in her hands, Elena smiled, reaching back up and taking Sakura's face in her hands in response! She didn't respond initially, something about those eyes of hers attracting her attention... Something... beautiful... Elena seemed almost lost in the soul of her best friend, her thumbs softly brushing light beads of sweat that collected upon Sakura's cheeks... Her gaze would slowly shift down along her form, never staying in one place too long, her gaze gentle, observant, curious almost... as if they hadn't had a look at each other before... After all, they DID share a locker back in Berserk and Sweet Divas!

"I'm... fine." Elena responded, finally coming out of her trance. The red-headed wrestler would blush softly, her hands falling down to her sides, not quite able to to her feet again on her own just yet, Elena's own form glistening beautifully as the overhead lights beamed down upon her... She found it HARD to look at Sakura now... Her heart beating hard in her chest from more than just physical exertion, her face red from MORE than just their fight...

Something had gotten into her heart and head, making it IMPOSSIBLE for Elena to look at her for too long before feeling all weird... Being an adult, there was a name for this kind of weirdness, one that she could never speak! It was impossible... Not after the way Elena had treated her, not after they had been friends for this long without any indication of it before.... NOT with how impossible it was that Sakura could EVER feel the same way!

Love... that was impossible....

"You're really amazing, Sakura..." Elena would whisper, her baby blue eyes glancing off to the side, suddenly finding the windows to the outside VERY interesting. "After all this time, I still can't beat you..."

Hagiwara felt the tap came and she immediately released her friend. The concern in Sakura's eyes was real and she would immediately aid her friend in getting her gearing back together. Hagiwara knelt down and placed Elena's head on her lap, caressing her friends cheek and making sure she was taking deep, easy breathes while relaxing herself. She wanted to apologize to Elena but she couldn't, she didn't want Elena to know that she felt pity to her friend. Elena and Sakura had been through a lot in their careers and the two of them had improved significantly in the ring. Sakura had a massive blush on her face as the two of them gazed into each other's eyes, not saying a word.

Eventually, Elena would respond to Hagiwara's initial concern and the former Sweet Diva Idol breathed a sigh in relief. Elena was still exhausted, as was Sakura and the two of them took their time to recover. Elena's hands fell down to her side, which prompted Hagiwara to gently pull her back up to a seated position and patted her shoulders. "T-thank you Elena-chan. You are amazing too, that was a great spar." she smiled.

Sakura would then smirk, gently placing her finger on Elena's chin and gently raising her head up. "Hey, hey! Chin up Elena-chan. Don't you worry about a thing, one day I know you'll be a force to be reckoned with too. I promise we will get stronger and then when both of us are on the top, we will wrestle again" she smiled, leaning in to give Elena a hug.

With that, Sakura would slowly help her friend back up on her feet before giving her another pat on the shoulder and then taking a step back. Hagiwara would then brush her hair back before nodding at Elena and out-stretching her hand to her best friend to shake on it. "Let's do this together, Elena-chan" she said with a bright smile.

"....Heh..." Elena smirked as Sakura complimented her on her ability, the smile across her face slightly rueful, knowing it wasn't true... She didn't doubt that Sakura herself believed what she was saying! After all, that girl saw the best in everyone! ANYONE could be friends with her if they tried! Heck, Elena could even see her making friends with some of the nastiest heels that stalked AFW's Halls if she set her mind to it... but Elena knew that she didn't do "great" in that fight... She could have done a LOT better if she just FOCUSED! There was just so much going through her head.... Between these weird feelings she was having for Sakura and her jealousy of her... It was like she was trying to drive with both eyes closed! IMPOSSIBLE!

Ugh... What even was today...

Sakura would help Elena to a sitting position, a gesture the red-head greatly appreciated, Sakura remarking how, one day, Elena would become something fearsome herself! Remarking how they would get to the top and fight again, Sakura would embrace Elena, shocking the woman in more than one way... Elena freezing slightly! However, a warm smile would gradually spread across her lips as she wrapped her arms around Sakura, hugging her closely as their buxom forms pressed together in such a way that Elena couldn't help but blush... It was such an ODD feeling to her... Never before when they embraced as Elena felt so shy, so weird! It was like it had become unnatural or something! Nothing had changed between her and Sakura, right? It wasn't like they stopped being friends all of a sudden!

...Or... Or those feelings weren't a fluke at all.. She really... REALLY did love her... Elena's smile faded and her eyes widened, realizing the truth... She HAD fallen for Sakura!

"Y-you got it, Sakura-chan..." Elena whispered, her voice shaking slightly, her tone... almost nervous! Sakura would help her to her feet, stating they would do this together and, even with Elena's recent and troubling revelation... She smiled... One last time, she pulled Sakura into a tight hug, holding her closely as if this would be the last time she'd ever get the chance... Burying her face in her closest friend's neck, Elena would stay there for a considerable amount of time... before pulling back, her smile a little wider... more sincere than before!

"You're the best, you know that?" Elena asked with a small chuckle, reaching down and taking Sakura's hand. "Lets go to the shower, huh? I'll buy us some lunch or something after."

Hagiwara didn't want her friend to feel bad, she was nice to almost all of her opponents so there was no way she could treat Elena of all people any worse than she did to others, even though their match had become slightly heated. It was all water under the bridge and with the look on Elena's face, Hagiwara knew she felt the same way too.

The two hugged whilst down on a sitting position, Sakura was not oblivious of the fact that Elena was feeling a certain way for her. Hagiwara was just being the best friend that she could. Eventually, the two rose to their and every subtle touch that Sakura gave to Elena only sought to reinforce the feelings the orange haired wrestler had started to develop for Sakura. Ultimately, Elena hugged Sakura tightly. Burying her deep against the sweaty neck of Hagiwara. The former Sweet Diva Idol would blush and pat the back of Elena's head, stroking her hair gently and telling her that it was okay.

After the embracing, sweaty hug, Elena would part ways and smile at Sakura who did the same. "Hehe" she would giggle when she heard Elena calling her the best before suggesting a shower and then lunch thereafter. Sakura would nod vigorously at the idea.

"Hai, Elena-chan~" she said before the two would clasp each other's hand and disappear back to the locker room for a shower.