Post by Dragon on Jan 5, 2017 0:51:56 GMT -5
Location: Ichihara, Japan
Date: 12/30/16
Time: 7:12 P.M.
Date: 12/30/16
Time: 7:12 P.M.
The rain continued to bounce off the window as Hanzo stared out into the nighttime streets of the place he once called home. He had only arrived home just a few days prior, but even he still felt uneasy with what had changed in the year he had been gone. His friend in the police force, Officer Miyagi, had quietly vanished and no one had heard from him since Hanzo last talked to him on the night he encountered Akira. The attendance at the fight club had reached an all time low as attendance had dropped by more than half, which left Katsumoto and Zayasu struggling for money. On the other hand, Erika had seemingly gotten the better part as she was having little trouble, but she didn't feel happy since Kat and Zayasu were struggling.
Drawing himself away from the window, he shuffled his way towards the nearby couch where the news was playing on the television. Plopping himself down, he blankly stared at the television as the news anchors were discussing the upcoming New Year's celebration. He wasn't one for celebrating holidays, but he did have his exceptions and New Year's was one of them because it was the only time of the year where he could go wild if he wanted to. Off screen, the sound of a door unlocking and opening echoed in the room followed by a solid shut. In walked Erika, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, slightly soaked from the rain, as exhaustion exuded from her body. A look of worry quivered under Hanzo's mask, but it returned to peace once Erika sat herself down, leaning against his shoulder.
"Another rough day at the fight club?"
"Mhm. About fifteen people came in injured and they weren't exactly simple injuries either."
He gently wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer to his side. She leaned her head against his chest as she deeply exhaled.
"I just wanna sleep and not worry about this for the rest of the day."
"I know the feeling. Unfortunately for me, I barely have time to sleep with all the training and constant road travels."
"Don't you ever take a day off?"
"Here and there, but I'm still active during my days off."
Erika sat herself up, gazing into Hanzo's eyes. He could start to feel his cheeks turning red.
"You should at least rest more. While it is good to be active Hanzo, rest is a necessity."
She had a point. If he pushed himself too hard he would actually do himself more harm than good in the long run and that would also put strain on his tag team with Storms, and more than likely cost him a valuable ally.
"Okay, I'll take a day or two off for R&R. It is close to New Year's so I don't see why not."
A smile lit up on Erika's face as she snuggled closer to Hanzo.
"Good, those days shall be well spent during New Year's."
He could feel his face starting to burn from the proximity, but nonetheless he managed to settle himself, wrapping his free arm around her and pulling her into a deep embrace. Resting his head against hers, he gently ran his hand along her back. He hadn't given it much though, but technically they had been dating for about a month ever since the last Massacre show in Lowell, where she kissed him. SHE kissed him. He could feel his cheeks start to burn again at the thought, but he quickly tuned it out from his head. Moving his right hand, he found himself cupping her cheek and gently turning her towards him. His heart raced as his gaze met hers and soon found himself moving closer to her, eyes closed. The distance between them closed to a minimum as their lips met, but a sudden banging on the door interrupted the intimate moment. Inwardly frustrated, Hanzo let out a small sigh before standing up from his seat and pacing towards the door. Upon opening it, he soon found himself bearhugged by a rather large individual.
"Hanzo, the boy! You didn't tell me you'd be back here!"
"Zayasu, I swear I messaged you several times that I was coming here for New Year's. Even told Kat and Erika that I was coming here a little while after the last show."
"Really? I don't remember ever getting messages....."
Placing the masked wrestler back on his feet, he pulled his mobile out of his coat pocket and tapped the message button. At the top of his conversations, sat Hanzo's with about a good ten messages.
"Let's see.......show just ended yada yada.........finishing up packing right now...........arrived at the airport and currently boarding.........huh, guess you did."
A faint sound of a facepalm could be heard from Hanzo as Zayasu tucked his phone away.
"I assume you want in. Enter in then."
Nodding, Zayasu strutted his way into the decently sized space. Hands on hips, he inhaled deeply as he looked all around the room whilst nodding to himself.
"Hello Zayasu...."
"Hm? Oh hey Erika! Didn't think you were back home yet."
"Literally just got back about ten minutes ago."
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as Zayasu continued to look around the place.
"This place hasn't changed one bit, I'll tell ya that."
He looked back towards Hanzo.
"So, whatcha' been up to? Last time we saw you was in Lowell where you, well, unfortunately lost."
"Thanks for the reminder. I've been fine for the most part. Got some training in before flying back to here, and still training over here. Gotta stay in form for my match in the Alpha Cup."
"Alpha Cup?"
"The tournament that AWE has going currently. I've made it to the third round so far, but I still got time before I have to worry about my match again."
"I see, I see. Well, you certainly picked a good time to come back. Planning on hosting a major event at the fight club on New Year's called New Year's Rebellion. It's literally just gonna be a mosh pit fight. Last one standing wins the grand prize."
The idea got a change in expression under Hanzo's mask as the sound of the idea struck him.
"So is it gonna be all the fighters who attend get to participate?"
"Yeeeeeeppp. I'm hoping for at least twenty fighters, but I'm not sure if that'll happen given the low attendance these days. I dunno what's been happening, but over the course of last year, the attendance just started to gradually dwindle down."
"I see, but what about that other tournament you're holding?"
A look of confusion appeared on Zayasu's face before the realization set in.
"Ah yes, the memorial tournament. Still haven't come up with a name yet, but I might go with the one you suggested back in Lowell, the uh........Dragon Tournament, that's right."
Suddenly, the ringtone of a mobile blared as Zayasu scrambled to get it from his coat pocket. Drawing it out, he clicked the answer button, drawing it up to his ear.
"Hello?...........Oh, hey Kat what's up? Hold that thought for a moment, Imma put you on speaker real quick."
Pulling the phone away from his ear, he held the phone in the space between him and Hanzo as Katsumoto's voice rang out.
"Why the hell would you put me on speaker?"
"I'm guessing it's because I'm here."
"What?! Hanzo?! Hey man, what's good? Didn't know you had finally flown over. Where you staying for the time being?"
"At........" he glanced towards Erika, who gave him a silent nod in response, ".........Erika's place."
"The boy be gettin' it!"
He gently punched Zayasu in arm as Hanzo's face began to light up again. Erika was trying her best to stifle her laughter all while trying to remain serious.
"Aw c'mon Zayasu, cut the kid a break. They've only been dating for about a month now."
"Yeah yeah.....anyway, what's up?"
"The event tonight? Remember? We were planning on holding something before New Year's Eve, and it starts soon."
Silence filled the room as Zayasu looked down at the phone, perplexed.
"What was the time for it again?"
"8:30. Which is in about forty-five minutes."
Curiously, Zayasu quickly checked the time on his phone and his face soon read embarrassment upon seeing the time.
"Shit......alright, I'll be there shortly. If anyone asks where I'm at just let them know I'm running late."
"Will do man."
"Alright, see you then."
Ending the call, he tucked his phone back into his coat pocket, letting out a deep sigh as he headed towards the door.
"Okay bud, time for me to exit stage right. Duty calls and I gotta ensure that this goes well so that tomorrow and New Year's kick off well. See you whenever Hanzo, and good luck in the Alpha Cup."
"See ya."
Zayasu exited the place, gently closing the door behind him this time. Hanzo turned toward Erika, a frown crossed his lips.
"I take it this means that you gotta go there too?"
"I actually don't have to. We got more medical personnel to help treat injuries so that I'm not overworking myself and allows me to take breaks."
He walked back over towards the couch, seating himself next to her.
"So that means you don't have anything planned for the rest of the evening?"
"Pretty much. That is, unless they call me in to help, but I doubt they'll need me for tonight."
She turned towards him, and without warning gently placed her hands on the side of his face, turning him towards her.
"Before Zayasu barged in, I believe you owed me something?"
He could feel his cheeks heat up again as he gazed into her eyes. Slightly nodding, the two pressed lips again, this one lingering longer than the previous. Releasing the liplock, the two gazed into each other's eyes as silence filled between them.
"Know that from this moment on Hanzo, I'll always be by you side. No matter what happens to you, I'll be there for you."
He silently nodded as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, but instead of drawing his hand back, he let himself cup her cheek once again.
"I will never desert you Erika. Even though my schedule may be hectic, I will whatever openings I get to talk with you. I always want to be with you."
She smiled back at him.
"Then the feeling is mutual. I pray that you make it to the finals of that tournament."
Before he could get a response out, she silenced him with another kiss. He couldn't think how much better his life could get with him having friends and allies like Erika and Storms, but he knew that he couldn't let personal feelings get in the away so much as he had to keep head strong if he wanted to get any further in the business. Tonight, however was an exception as all he wanted to do for the time being was dedicate his time to being with Erika...
Fade to black.