Akashi Tanikaze Vs. Masane Tajiri

Akashi thought she had Masane on the ropes and close to unconsciousness. It was as she was about to pull back for a hard hit that she felt the ref tap her on the shoulder. She raised her eyes and glanced back to see Masane's leg draped across the ropes. She heaved a sigh and though she wanted to wrench the hold for a few more seconds, she released the karate girl immediately.

She then slowly got to her feet and stood up and balled her fists in a fighting stance and bounced on her heels. She was eager to wade back in and sink her teeth into Masane and finish her off.

Masane flopped to the mat, and shook her head slowly. She clenched her teeth, trying to dig her hands and knees underneath her.
"I won't... give up yet... I'm going to.. earn my belt back from Kirin one day..."

She said, one eye clenched shut from how many times Akashi pounded at her head. After a few more seconds, she finally got her feet under her, and rose up to her feet. She looked across the mat to see two of Akashi, and shook her head, trying to force herself to focus. She slowly shifted back into her stance, and waited for the sumo to come at her once more.

Akashi grinned at Masane's determination but her words put a fire in her belly. "Tajiri-San." She said softly. "If you want your belt back, then you will have to take it from ME! Yoko-mama is next on my list!" She then carged forward and attempted to aim an open handed slap into Masane's stomach.

Masane braced herself as Akashi darted towards her. She wasn't sure which one it was. She would take a gamble, however, and would grab the ropes with her arms as Akashi charged in. .oO(Lets see if your stomach can take THIS shot.) She thought, bringing her legs up fast, trying to slam them into Akashi's gut with all she had, hoping to god it was the right Akashi.

Akashi charged forward hoping to take advantage of Masane's weakness. As she saw Masane lean against the ropes, she thought the girl was even weaker than she had thought but as the kick snapped forward, her eyes widened. It sunk deep into her stomach and she gasped and stumbled back. She clutched her stomach and sank to her knees as she tried to gasp for air.

Masane blinked when she felt her feet contacting with flesh. She saw Akashi falling to her knees and gasping for air. It was a prime time for one of her finishers! She grit her teeth, letting go of the ropes, and stepped forward while taking a deep breath. She would lift one leg up high. "Kyehh!!" She would shout as she lifted her leg up, then try to slam it down on top of Akashi's head for all it was worth. "Kyahhh!!!" She cried out, putting all she had into the axe kick!

As Akashi cluthched her stomach in pain, she hooed she had stunned Masane enough to keep her from being able to launch an attack. But she suddenly heard Masane shout and looked up in time to see Masane's foot coming down. She brought her hand up but it only dampened the blow a little. She grunted and fell to her side, groaning. The hand deflecting the blow enough to keep her conscious.

Masane clenched her teeth when she saw Akashi managing to block the blow just enough to stay conscious. After nailing that blow, however, she had drained her body, and ended up collapsing to her knees, and was trying to suck in air as much as she could.

"Y..you're... incredible..." She commented while trying to regain her breath and a little energy, giving Akashi a chance in the process.

Akashi wanted to lay there and rest but when she heard Masane's words, she grinned underneath the pile of sweat soaked hair that covered her face. She pulled her fist up and slammed it into the mat and used it to force herself onto her back. She looked up at Masane. "I came here to be the best and beat the best. I have to be incredible." She smiled. "And you've definitely earned that respect you were reluctant to take at the start of the match." She was glad they could exchange words instead of fists for a few moments as she panted and tried to catch her breath.

Masane smiles down at her as she rolls over. She nods slowly at her words. "I'm honored to hear that.." She replied, then she took a deep breath, and started to clamber up to her feet.

"But you want something... that's mine... and I won't let you have it as long as I can move a single muscle.." She declared. This is how it was supposed to be. This was how a true champion acted. She felt something inside of her that she's only felt a couple of times in her life, when she came across a strong opponent, and they fought with everything they had. She made a promise to herself right then and there.. if she managed to win over this sumo, she would challenge Kirin for her title back.

After rising back to her feet, she would shift to her stance, and wait for Akashi to rise once more.