Neo League 226 - #241: Sakura vs Mature

Description: What better way to commemorate the life and times of Mozart than a brawl between two women in his hometown? ... wait, what? (Winner: Sakura)



Salzburg, Austria isn't normally addressed on most schoolkids' studies of Europe, partly because it lacks easily recognizable landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or the Arc D'Triomphe. But, nonetheless, cathedrals are big business back in the Old World, and the Dom of Salzburg is one famous draw to the old city. The other, of course, is some easily forgettable Salzburg citizen named Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
And ... it's also the site of a Neo League battle scheduled between two very mismatched competitors. One has style. The other -- young Japanese schoolgirl Sakura Kasugano -- most certainly does not. The scruffy-haired youth is currently dashing through the streets of Salzburg, trying to gobble down a sausage in the midst of hastening to the Domplatz (Cathedral Square). Astute observers would also notice that young Ms. Kasugano is about three minutes -late- for the fight, according to the schedule. ... Which might be why she's running.
Finishing off the last bite, she zips through the crowd, parting the sea of people and leaping right over top of the barricade marking off the fight area. Skidding to a halt, she throws her arms out to the side for balance, looking around for her competitor. "Aaaaah, sorry I'm late!" she calls to the official, the uniformed schoolgirl's face slightly flushed from the effort.

Salzburg is but one of many places a woman like Mature has been kind enough to grace with her presence. Her career affords her many such opportunities to travel the world, from the bustling cities of Japan to the dry, arid deserts of the Middle East. So it should honestly come as no surprise she hardly seems enamored with the prospect of a League fight here. Then again, Mature hardly ever seems enthused about much of anything.

Still, it would hardly be prudent of a woman such as her to arrive late--in fact, she'd arrived early in hopes of getting this fight over and done with so she could return to things important...like the exciting world of filing and filling out paperwork. So there she stands in the streets of Salzburg, long arms folded neatly across her chest as she waits. And waits...and waits...

Three minutes after the appointed time there's a commotion in the near-distance, drawing the woman's gaze up from her long, well-manicured nails. Pulling her lips in a thin, thoughtful line across her face, Mature eyes the schoolgirl as she bursts through the sea of standers by, thin blonde brows rising idly...before she simply shakes her head and sighs in disappointment. This kid again?

"I'm surprised you even showed up," she states coolly, arms crooking in akimbo fashion as she nestles her hands on her hips. There's nothing thereafter; instead she just stands, observing the girl and otherwise sizing her up.

Sakura's not terribly impressed by Mature's apparent lack of enthusiasm -- heck, the Taiyo student's been in something of a slump the past few weeks and yet she's still fired up. It's just a bit harder to tell without her usual headband fluttering along behind her like a May Day streamer.
"I had to grab something to eat! I got lost on the way here!" fires off the schoolgirl in explanation, her mouth running a bit more freely than it probably ought to. And, perhaps in a nod to that, she looks down sharply, rubbing the bridge of her nose with the back of her hand. "But of course I showed up. It's a fight, right? Ain't like I'm gonna forfeit or nothin'..." The schoolgirl gives the more mature (ha) woman a faint smirk, the blue vinyl of her vambraces creaking as she curls her fists in anticipation.
Kasugano scuffs the heels of her sneakers along the street, walking a wide arc about her opponent in observation. "Guess you think this'll be a cakewalk, huh? I got news for ya though..." She confidently brandishes her fist in the air. "It won't be!"

COMBATSYS: Sakura has started a fight here.

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Sakura           0/-------/-------|


COMBATSYS: Mature has joined the fight here.

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Mature           0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Sakura


...and Mature doesn't seem to be impressed by Sakura, so it clearly evens out in the end between the two scheduled fighters. Whether or not her lack of enthusiasm has a source or she's always this way is uncertain; chances are, however, this is normal for the woman. Anything OTHER than apathy or lack of enthusiasm is probably just plain weird.

Whatever explanations--or mere excuses--Sakura has for being late seem of little concern to the well-dressed blonde. In fact, Mature's head turns to the side as the girl speaks a mile a minute, her chin rising a bit as she simply turns her head to one side. Only when the elder woman presumes she's doen speaking does she turn her blue eyes back to Sakura, lips pulling in another thin line across her face.

"Are you quite finished wasting time?" she asks, her features cold and impassive. The makings of a smirk tug at her lips, Mature's arms unfolding and falling to her sides as she faces the kid. "And do I think this will be a cakewalk?" Looking almost contemplative of the question, her eyes squint a bit, brows furrowing slightly before she delivers a soft chuckle and shakes her head.

No point in answering that. She'll just leave the kid wondering. It's far more fun that way.

Not all questions need answers, and Sakura is versed well enough in the use of rhetorical devices. She figures she got her answer, at any rate.
And the spunky schoolgirl is just a smidge insulted by that, really. Perhaps the schoolgirl's just playing into a manipulative web, crafted as nothing more than an elusive, emotional trap for the young fighter. ... Or maybe Sakura really =does= believe she's going to make this difficult for Mature. Whatever the reason, the Ansatsuken prodigy doesn't see any point in dallying around once the referee calls the start of the match.
"Yep, I'm done!" she chirps -- making a quick dash for Mature near instantly. She hops into the air, spinning about to bring her leg revolving around into Mature's shoulder. "SHUNPUUUU KYAKU!" And, given the opportunity, she'd spin around to deliver two or three more kicks in similar fashion before touching the ground again.

COMBATSYS: Mature just-defends Sakura's Shunpuu Kyaku!

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Mature           0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0           Sakura


Whatever Mature's intentions, she hardly seems as if she's going to give the girl an easier time of getting along with her opponent. Instead she remains taciturn, seemingly interested in anything but Sakura as blue eyes wander across the surrounding landscape. Her interest is only piqued as she hears Sakura pipe up that yes, she's finished wasting their time. "Really?" That's about all she can manage, as the girl is coming right for her with legs flailing.

But rather than get slammed by those sneakers the woman's arms tense and absorb the blows, each kick seemingly doing little harm to the woman, if any whatsoever. The secretary's lips dare to form a smile as the girl goes to land, but Mature is anything but willing to go easy on her--instead she steps in and swiftly lashes out, swiping her hand for Sakura's gut, nails trailed by cerulean-colored chi.

COMBATSYS: Sakura fails to interrupt Metal Massacre from Mature with Medium Punch.

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Mature           0/-------/------=|===----\-------\0           Sakura


Dropping low from her kicks, Sakura's already panting slightly from the exertion. It's not exactly =easy== to be whipping out a whirlwind kick, after all -- and it's even more of a letdown to see that her kicks barely did a darn thing to the woman. Sakura rises to her feet, balling her fists in preparation for the next assault -- if she can't hit Mature directly, then it's just as much fun to wait for the nonchalant woman to come to her, right?
H-hey wait, cerulean-colored chi? That's Sakura's specialty! ... Though Mature won't be hurting quite as badly as Sakura will from this exchange, as Sakura is a bit too rash and impetuous to wait for the -perfect- moment to counterattack. Instead, she lunges forward with a punch just a hair early, just in time for the blue energy searing into her bare midriff to throw off her aim. That's one =bad= thing about Taiyo's egregiously patriarchal dress code. Staggering to the side, Sakura clenches her teeth in pain, but manages to collect herself before a nasty spill on the cathedral plaza. "Gnnh... not bad, but..." Well, she =says= that, but her arm has swept to her side to make sure none of the guts have fallen out. That'd kinda suck!

Kick after kick from the tiny Taiyo fighter is shrugged off, the woman hardly exerting herself it seems. Instead she lets her run her course before she swiftly moves into action, nails lashing out for the girl. In response Sakura seems to lash out, attempting to stop her short with a fist--but ultimately her fist fails to meet the woman's face. As a result those harsh nails bite flesh, leaving a nasty, chi-laden gash as the woman steps back, seemingly trying to avoid a spill of blood on her nice garments.

Not bad? Mature seems to be ignoring her again. Instead she flicks her hand swiftly to the side, blood pattering lightly at the ground by her side. "Mm?" comes a delayed response, Mature's blue eyes narrowing a touch before she pivots swiftly on her heel and issues a kick right for the kid's stomach--again.

COMBATSYS: Mature successfully hits Sakura with Light Kick.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-

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Mature           0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0           Sakura


Right for the kid's =stomach?= Ruthless! Here Sakura is, trying bravely to keep the blood from spurting violently out of control, and Mature just goes and adds more fun to the mix. In her weakened state, Sakura stumbles backwards, one arm still curled about her, her other raising to fend off the attack. ... She raises her arm too far, however, as Mature's kick sails through and crashes into the student's knuckles. ... Thus... jamming her =own grubby fingernails= into her stomach. Sakura was more or less quiet through the last strike, but she's yelping with pain this go-round, staggering back for one, two, three steps before collapsing onto her rear.
Coughing once, she grits her teeth once more, pushing back to her feet with a hand. She'd make some calm remark, but... well, not dying is a bit higher on the priority list right now. Sakura's fierce brown eyes turn towards Mature, wary of a successive attack as she holds her ground for just a moment.

COMBATSYS: Sakura gains composure.

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Mature           0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0           Sakura


The kick lands true and, in response, poor Sakura is sent reeling back and ultimately lands on her duff with a yelp of pain. Mature's lips twitch slightly, an expression of morbid amusement clear in the fain spark of emotion that briefly crosses her smooth face. It doesn't linger long; instead she clears her throat softly, long fingers rising up and gently brushing long blonde bangs to one side with an arrogant exhale.

Is she taking a breather? The woman's brows lift slightly, baby blues narrowing a bit before she simply issues the tiniest of smiles. Shaking her head softly, the woman seems disappointed...before she leaps forward and attempts to grab the girl by her head. If successful, she'll lift her up and idly toss her to the side, face-first into the ground.

COMBATSYS: Sakura interrupts Quick Throw from Mature with Medium Hadouken.

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Mature           0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1           Sakura


Let's review: Sakura's about torn in half by Mature's two successive attacks. Breather? Heck yes. The schoolgirl is pretty fiercely determined to turn this fight back to her advantage, but there's such a thing as 'trying too hard,' and Kasugano's already sensed that she's starting along that path. Hence... the need to stop, think, and regroup.
Which she does well, mind. Mature's disappointed, is she? Sakura smirks a bit as the woman leans in to make a grab for her cranium. "I see it in your eyes... you're going easy on me!" And that, much like the start of this fight, is just a smidge insulting to the schoolgirl.
Her right hand is still clutched around the open wound, though the blood's already starting to clot from her momentary respite. But Sakura doesn't budge -- rather, she lets Mature step in close, even lets her gain a grip upon her skull before revealing the full extent of her frustration -- a dense blue blossom of chi, rammed palm-first right into her opponent's chest. While Mature may be favoring slashes... Kasugano seems to be taking the concussive impact route, a veritable explosion of force detonating at the ground zero of her elder's ribcage. And it's name: "HADOOOOOUKEN!"

Is Mature going easy on her? Looking far from amused by the suggestion Mature shrugs idly as her eyes draw to a close. "Whatever you wish to presume, miss Kasugano," the secretary replies in her cool fashion. Is she going easy? Or is she just trying to irk the girl by hardly giving her any of her attention? She'd probably pretend to stifle a yawn for the kid, were Mature a more animated person most of the time.

Instead she turns and makes her way for the girl, attempting to snag her by her head and show her the ground--yet her hand barely touches when she's thrown back by a burst of blue energy, sent reeling to the side before she catches her balance. Rubbing her side, the secretary's lips purse tightly. How uncouth. How rude. And, worst of all, it actually stung a little.

Rather than make a move, Mature seems to take a proverbial step back, focusing on the girl and gathering her thoughts before she makes her next move. With how wont Sakura is to trying to stop her in her tracks, perhaps she ought to seek out other methods of hurting her..?

COMBATSYS: Mature focuses on her next action.

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Mature           0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1           Sakura


Other methods? Sakura might be crying loudly for Mature to exercise =more= painful methods, but it ought to be quite obvious that her =existing= methods have been just fine -- especially since Sakura's =still= keeping her arm slung around her midsection.
She's not trying anything particularly adventurous at this point though -- with her surprise payload delivered, the schoolgirl seems more than intent on simply following up with the first thing that comes to mind. No fancy chi effects, no nifty names -- just one good solid left-handed punch to the jaw. How uncouth, indeed! "HYAAAAAA!"

COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Mature with Medium Punch.
- Power hit! -

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Mature           0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1           Sakura


As much as Mature would like and enjoy not getting hit cleanly in the face, it would seem that that's not going to happen. Still a touch disoriented from her blow to the chest by the fireball, Mature collects her wits about her and attempts to plan out things a little better. Instead, Sakura seems insistent on this fight continuing and, in response, charges for the woman with a fist aimed for her jaw. Yet try as she might to lift a hand up in time to intercept the punch she's struck again, sent reeling to the side again in response to the force.

She doesn't reel for long. Snapping her head swiftly to the side, the Bernstein secretary's arms rise up, folding delicately at the wrists before they swiftly come down, sending a burst of arced chi energy barreling for the tiny Taiyo student in response. Irritated? A little, but damned if her face is anything but unemotional.

COMBATSYS: Sakura blocks Mature's Ebony Tears.

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Mature           1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1           Sakura


Withdrawing her knuckles from Mature's jawline, Sakura flashes a brief smile back at Mature. "See? Don't count me out yet!" she boasts, hopping lightly from side to side like she's some kinda Bruce Lee ripoff -- whereas really, she's just trying to get some feeling back into her side. Feeling other than a sharp pain, that is.
Though... Sakura can guess that taking another blow of energy to the side would =probably= not be a good thing. Luckily, this time she's a bit more proactive in putting her padded handguards to good use, twisting her arms inward and running smack into the wavefronts. The kinetic energy disperses on contact, a forceful wave shoving Sakura back nonetheless, but Sakura's determined expression shows that she'd only considered it a small speedbump! "Haaa!" And in the wake of the blast, she continues plowing forward, levelling a change-up kick at the blonde -- one snap to the shin followed by a higher kick to the torso. "Hriii-HAAA!"

COMBATSYS: Mature blocks Sakura's Light Kick.

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Mature           1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1           Sakura


Don't count Sakura out? She doesn't even seem to acknowledge the girl! Instead she simply recovers from the brunt of her blow and raises her arms, sending a blast of blue-colored chi energy screaming for Sakura. Luckily for her she shrugs it off with quick thinking, dispersing much of the energy around her before she comes at her with a one-two kick for her gut. Unfortunately for Sakura, Mature seems ready this time and buckles down, arms quick as they absorb the brunt of her kicks.

Not one to wait long, Mature charges forward, ducking low before she rises up, sweeping her long fingernails for Sakura's midriff and chest, intent on leaving a nice, long nasty gash on whatever of her those long, well-manicure talons can bite.

COMBATSYS: Sakura dodges Mature's Strong Punch.

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Mature           1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1           Sakura


Well, Sakura's nothing if not persistent! After her second kick gets knocked aside, Sakura leaps back, ready for Mature's counterattack. And... yet again, Mature seems to be going for the weakened midsection! Excellent strategy, but Kasugano's quick to note her displeasure. "That again? Man, you're just =vicious= tonight!" she chirps out, leaping back, hands going high and feet going low as she dodges the talons.
And with her sneakers squealing sharply, Sakura reverses direction to come tearing right back at Mature. "S'alright, though! I got plenty more!" Thus far in the match, she's aimed high, and she's aimed for the middle -- now it's time to focus all her energies on the low ground. Dropping to the ground, she aims her foot for a low revolving crack against Mature's shins -- much like before, she's hoping to rack up a few successful hits. This time, though, five kicks are planned, before Sakura snaps up to deliver a fierce roundhouse to knock Mature off into the distance. That's =if= it lands, though! "HA! HA! HA! HA! HAAAAA!"

COMBATSYS: Mature blocks Sakura's Haru Ichiban.

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Mature           1/------=/=======|=------\-------\0           Sakura


There's little more than the faintest of chuckles from the Bernstein secretary at the girl's observation as she hops away, which is seemingly taken as a compliment, if anything. Is she mean? Good. That's probably what she's going for. Following through with the motion, Mature pivots gracefully and turns, facing Sakura once more with the tiniest grin haunting her rouge-colored lips.

"You have more? Excellent. I was starting to get dreadfully bored," the blonde replies, lifting a finger to her lips and idly tapping her chin. She does little more than watch, observing Sakura closely, every move noted carefully. And once Sakura tears off and moves at her Mature blurs into action. The kick to the shins is avoided, and each high thereafter is intercepted by the woman's palms, her body unmoving with every blow delivered and seized. Once the last is fired off Mature pushes away, landing a short distance back.

"Is that all?" the elder woman chides, lips slightly curling at the corners of her mouth. "Because, frankly? That was lackluster." Still, it's best not to underestimate Ms. Kasugano; thus does Mature observe her again, blue eyes half-lidded scrutiny.

COMBATSYS: Mature focuses on her next action.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Mature           1/------=/=======|=------\-------\0           Sakura


Bored? Considering the target of Sakura's idolatry, that's not far from the mark, even if Sakura =does= try and put her own spin on attacking. She's been deliberately relying on her 'bread and butter' attacks out of frustration with the beginning of the fight, and it's pretty obvious she's not leaving much of a lasting mark upon Mature.
=Yet=, anyway. Sakura grins a bit as her kicks land against Mature's guard, knowing full well that she =wasn't= kicking lightly. The girl's sparred with the Strongest Woman In The World, after all! And that's got to have a cumulative effect, really. Which would be why Sakura's hoping she can break through Mature's defenses with another round of attacks, to keep the pressure on!
The Ansatsuken disciple smirks faintly. "Oh yeah? Well, everyone's gotta break sooner or later!" And when Kasugano closes in, she swings her arm around in what looks to be a fairly derivative haymaker.
Only... Sakura's targeting Mature's =arms= this time, hoping to grab for the wrist she expects to be in the way, so that she can jerk sharply to one side, trip her by the ankle, and send her crashing to the pavement. "HYAAAAA!"

COMBATSYS: Mature dodges Sakura's Medium Throw.

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Mature           1/------=/=======|=------\-------\0           Sakura


However much pain Mature may be in--no thanks to Sakura's fireball and a few other lucky hits--the woman seems to keep herself well in check. Her features remain stern, her expression without tell-tale emotion, save for the faintest hints of morbid amusement and delight. And that doesn't seem to bother Sakura either!

Stepping back after the Ansatsuken-wielding schoolgirl makes her attack, Mature narrows her eyes briefly, eyeing her closely with that eerie blue gaze of hers. A cumulative effect? Mature seems to be doing just fine, and even attempts to provoke her with her usual bout of insults. But, again. Sakura isn't defeated.

As Sakura lunges in and attempts to take the woman's wrists in hand Mature scoffs lightly, lips tugging a touch into a faint smirk as she deftly twists out of her grasp's way. It gives her the vantage point there. How? Simple! Because Mature can reach out and attempt to snag poor miss Kasugano by the back of her neck. And, should those long, spidery fingers of the blonde's make purchase...

COMBATSYS: Mature successfully hits Sakura with Heaven's Gates.

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Mature           0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0           Sakura


...those nasty talons of Mature's sink straight into the girl's neck, getting a good, vice-like grip on her. With her in her hand the elder of the two women pushes off and lunges forward, dragging poor Sakura along behind her, laughing clearly and merrily all the way. It's a short, brisk burst forward--cut short when the blonde suddenly skids to a stop and slams Sakura face-first against the concrete, forming a schoolgirl-sized crater in the cement beneath her. Not willing to wait there, Mature hops back...just as the earth erupts in a pillar of violet-tinged, Orochi-blessed energy all around Sakura, engulfing the poor kid in its vicious blast.

Well... Sakura =did= want to be somewhere else when Mature started closing in. If wishes could be fishes...
She's not so lucky, to say the least, getting snagged by the head, crimson-red blood loosed by those delicately manicured nails. Sakura had curled up a bit for the ride, and she falls a bit limp as Mature slams her into the ground, lessening the blow if only in the slightest. In the end, though, her nose is pretty bloodied up, much like the rest of her -- it's doubtful she'll ever wear =this= uniform again.
And then the blast of that hideously accursed energy sends her flying into the air, her earlier wound starting to come unknitted from the stress imparted upon it.
But... Sakura's able to regain control in mid flight -- no longer contained by Mature's deathgrip. Her teeth clench tightly in determination as she rights herself from a sick, dizzying spin, tapping two fingers to the ground as she lands in a low kneel.
And just keeps on =smiling= as she sprints forward, determined to pay Mature back for that series of blows. The blood doesn't seem to be slowing her down much -- she's leaping forward into a rapid jump kick, aimed right beneath Mature's neck! "HRAAAAAA!"

COMBATSYS: Mature just-defends Sakura's Medium Kick!

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Mature           0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0           Sakura


Poor Sakura is spared no mercy as the woman dishes out pain by way of her damnable nails. Letting them sink in, Mature does not hesitate to introduce the girl to the ground, as well as that terrible Orochi power that seems to be scarily prevalent these days. But the secretary is far from concerned; instead she leaps back and lands, pulling a small handkerchief from the inside of her blazer and mindfully cleans her hands off.

"What?" Looking mildly surprised, the Bernstein secretary's brows rise a touch, peering at Sakura as she emerges from the smoking crater. Tilting her head to one side, Mature seems almost genuinely surprised before she shakes her head and exhales. "You're still conscious? Oh my."

Payback comes swiftly, but the woman seems just as quick--with a deft move of her arms again the secretary intercepts the kick aimed for her neck, teeth gritting behind red lips as they pull into a line across her face. A light shove attempts to shrug Sakura away from the woman before she dips low and comes up with a sweeping motion of her long fingers, chi energy intent on leaving yet another nasty gash on poor Sakura's uniform--and whatever skin those horrible nails manage to slice along the way.

COMBATSYS: Sakura interrupts Death Row from Mature with Shou'ou Ken.

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Mature           0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1           Sakura


Not only is Sakura still conscious, she's still kicking! ... Figuratively and literally! But it seems that Mature's worked up an effective strategy for dealing with the schoolgirl's kicks as well, to the point that she's basically just shrugged off.
While Sakura's generally cheerful disposition may be suffering lately, all that's forgotten in the heat of battle -- which is one reason Sakura's been =pushing= herself to enter fights like this. Because it's much easier to deal with someone who just wants to carve you into ribbons than it is to deal with the crushing doldrums of boredom! ... No, really, it =is= simpler for Sakura, who can fall back on her honed reflexes, crouching slightly and raising her left arm, parallel canyons of red forming upon the flesh beneath. Her uniform isn't =quite= so lucky, the last thread of fabric comprising her left sleeve finally giving way.
But really, what's a little bloodletting compared to righteous fury being pounded into one's opponent's stomach? Sure, the burning isn't a =pleasant= sensation, but coupled with the satisfying impact of knuckles slamming into the torso of someone who's been giving her a painfully close fight, Sakura seems to think it's worth it. "SHOOOOU'OOOU KEN!" she shouts to commemorate the execution of her signature move. Her uppercut would normally carry her -- and her opponent -- flying up from the sheer transfer of kinetic energy, but perhaps the impact would be a bit duller than usual. Her uniform shirt nearly flies off, held only by the right sleeve -- it's a =really= good thing the sporty schoolgirl wears a lycra top beneath it.

The very fact she's still conscious is a bother to the elder of the two women. Unlike Sakura, who pushes herself to ultimately better herself in these little matches, Mature doesn't particularly enjoy them. But a duty is a duty, and as she was so politely asked to participate in these, well...

But that's beside the point--the point here is that Mature is getting increasingly tired with Sakura's tenacity, to the point where she'd very much like to take her down swiftly and most painfully. Thus does the woman encroach on the girl, coming in to deliver a fierce slice of nails and chi at her. The kid, however, takes that opportunity to slam her fiercely with her knuckles, sending the woman up and back with the momentum, soaring...

Until she lands on her feet.

Furrowing her thin blonde brows, Mature's eyes narrow a touch again, features still eerily calm, but eyes as cold as ice. Rather than chide the girl or insult her Mature just makes her move, swiftly covering what distance may lay between them before she lashes out, delivering a turning kick straight for the side of her head.

COMBATSYS: Sakura interrupts Light Kick from Mature with Shou'ou Ken EX.

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Mature           0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0           Sakura


Sakura has that effect on people. Takes a licking, keeps on ticking, yep! At least the girl's starting to smile again -- more honestly, this time -- as she twirls about, skirt fluttering as her toes tap down to the ground. "Heh heh... guess this ain't helpin' me any more!" And with a casual gesture, she pulls the shirt the rest of the way off. Her blue lycra top is a bit unbalanced with her grey skirt, and a bit =gaudy= considering her blood-spattered neck and the terrible gash in her side, but clearly, form follows function in this case.
And form just happens to be what dictates the reaction to Mature's =next= attack -- a simple high kick from Mature seems to be the perfect opportunity for another strike. Second verse, same as the first -- the kick crashes against the girl's head, but she lunges forward to slam a rising uppercut into Mature. Only this time -- she doesn't run with it, and she doesn't budge =quite= so much. Just a simple, upwards strike, fueled by a generous helping of cerulean blue chi.
And a defiant shout. "SHOOOOORYUKEN!"
She'd mentioned to friends that she'd 'graduated', last night. Perhaps this is what she meant?

The woman doesn't hardly move as the tiny girl tears what remains of her shirt free and tosses it aside. If anything Mature flinches lightly, a soft tick of a brow issued before she merely scoffs and looks to her nails. 'Whatever,' the gesture clearly says. The secretary has far, far more interesting things to be doing. Playing with little girls is not one of those things she really enjoys doing. That's why she tries to swat the little fly down with a kick. With hope she'll land!

Only, Sakura decides to try and swat her first. Her assault interrupted by a fierce uppercut, the woman is again sent flying back, landing a short distance away with a heavy 'thud.' For a moment she doesn't move. Then?

Rolling to the side, the elder woman shaking her head lightly as she rises to her feet, long fingers carefully fixing her hair. Calm, cool, collected; that is what Mature is. She's even calm as she lifts her arms up and again sends another arc of chi energy barreling for Sakura, blue eyes as frigid as ever.

COMBATSYS: Mature successfully hits Sakura with Ebony Tears.
- Power hit! -

[                       \\\\\\\  < >  //                            ]
Mature           1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0           Sakura


Calm? Sakura's anything =but= calm, especially after slamming a second uppercut into Mature. She's pumped! She's excited! She's raring to go! "Heh, how'd you like that one, huh? I got another one all ready for ya, too!" boasts Sakura, shaking her right fist in open defiance of the blonde's strategy!
... Of course, it'd be =really stupid= to try the same thing again, especially against a master strategist like Mature! Which is why Sakura really doesn't =intend= to uppercut her again. ... Of course, Sakura's forgotten that Mature knows how to sling fireballs at her. The Ansatsuken prodigy figures that a quick dive to the side ought to be enough to bring her clear of the wavefront of energy...
It's not. Sakura gets clipped in the legs, carried along for the ride, and abruptly deposited on her keister a few paces back. Now her =legs= are bleeding too!
Rising, Sakura seems to finally be on her last legs -- but even then, she's not gonna just lie down! Not =yet!= "You just can't keep a Taiyo student down, you know!" she shouts, lunging forward -- and in one last-ditch burst of speed, Sakura rockets forward =again= in a leaping attack. Her entire body aches, but she's giving this fight her all -- sailing through the air to bring her leg crashing down onto Mature's shoulder! The cool, collected blonde is likely immune to the fanservice inherent in such a deliberately unabashed attack -- but if the fight is any indication, maybe Sakura's stubborn denial of reality will catch her by surprise again? "HRIIII-HAAAAAAAA!"

COMBATSYS: Sakura has reached second wind!

[                       \\\\\\\  < >  //////                        ]
Mature           1/------=/=======|-------\-------\0           Sakura


COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Mature with Flower Kick EX.

[                           \\\  < >  //////                        ]
Mature           1/-----==/=======|-------\-------\0           Sakura


Try as she might to avoid the oncoming blast of chi from the secretary, it seems to do little for her. Struck, she's otherwise pushed back, left to land on her bottom after the brief ride she's given by the woman, who, thereafter begins to visibly pant. Furrowing her brows, she waits patiently, eyeing the lump of Ansatsuken as she begins to peel herself off the ground and come charging for her. Try as the lady might to avoid being slammed, her attempt to dodge out of harm's way results in her being struck, sent crashing to the ground as result.

Even that doesn't seem to be enough to stop Sakura. Rising from the ground, the obviously-winded Mature wobbles lightly before she narrows her eyes. What a little gnat! Thus does she charge after her with one last effort, a series of swift, brutal slashes delivered with her claw-like nails before she finishes the maneuvers with a blast of that familiar chi energy! Hit or miss the woman wobbles afterwards, ultimately dropping to her hands and knees, winded and clearly out of comission.

COMBATSYS: Mature can no longer fight.

[                        \\\\\\  <
Sakura           0/-------/-------|


COMBATSYS: Sakura blocks Mature's Nocturnal Lights.

[                          \\\\  <
Sakura           0/-------/-----==|


Punches beget more punches, kicks beget more kicks! Sakura's suicidal kick seems to do the trick, giving her enough of a second wind to stick around and see how this battle turns out!
... And it seems Mature has a bit more juice also! Sakura's eyebrows rise as the woman charges forward, her hands held out in defense. No, no time for practiced maneuvers or disciplined responses -- the Taiyo student's on the wire here, and she puts out the best she can manage in her highly fatigued state: frantic scurrying backwards coupled with rushed, panicked slaps to knock the strikes aside. Not all of them work -- she gets stung =hard= in the shoulder, and slashed pretty hard in the arm, but Sakura's got enough left in her to leap sideways as that final chi strike comes lashing out at her, the heated Orochi-tainted energies passing blisteringly close to her arms, thrown to either side for balance.
Teetering unsteadily off to the side, she takes another two steps backward for stability, drawing in a long, deep breath. She clenches her fists once more, adopting her defensive stance -- as if to apologize to her unseen idol for her breach of discipline.
But... seeing that Mature seems to be down for the count, Sakura relaxes somewhat, shifting forward and crossing her arms. "Mm-hmm... just about what I expected!" she announces in a voice that's needlessly smug for someone who could have just as easily been the one on the ground in this close, nail-biting battle. "It's just like I told you -- can't keep us down!"
... It's a pity no other Taiyo students are around to soak up the overflowing school pride, hm?

COMBATSYS: Sakura takes no action.

[                          \\\\  <
Sakura           0/-------/-----==|


COMBATSYS: Sakura has ended the fight here.

Log created by Sakura, and last modified on 04:30:29 04/04/2006.