Description: Miss Kanzuki proves that she is, indeed, the winner of everything in this three-way brawl in the Netherlands. (Winner: Karin)
Welcome to fair Amsterdam, and to the second week of the revitalized SNF! Why is it not in Kinderdijk? Because Ken Masters threatened to sue. Perhaps not, but the quaint, old town appearance of the Netherlands' greatest city does make for an intriguing stage for the three-way battle Geese Howard had planned for a few of Southtown's up and coming fighters.
Sitting on a white-painted steel patio chair just outside one of the buildings at the point of Amsterdam's angular street corners and looking out over the city's canals is Karin Kanzuki, thoroughly in her element as she sips tea from a white cup while her faithful servant, the rotund Ishizaki, stands idly by. The blonde heiress makes it a point to arrive at these affairs early to scope out the terrain... and, possbily, the competition.
And Sakura Kasugano, while not making it a point, is most often *late*.
Not so this time, however, as one of Karin's staff -- likely unknown to the heiress herself -- had called Sakura's cellphone to remind her of the battle, stressing how much it would mean to his employer.
Sakura can be easily swayed by appeals to emotion, when her friends are involved.
Which is why she's walking up the other side of the primary bridge set aside for the event, with a bag full of souvenirs in her arms. As she knows of her tendency to be late, she had left the hotel with all of her fight acoutrements, so the fans won't have to forego her usual Taiyo outfit or red hand-guards.
Catching sight of the blonde heiress from across the canal, Sakura waves her hand high! "Kaaaaariiiiin! Hellooooooo over there!"
So =very= sophisticated.
Amsterdan's canal is quite beautiful for a trip through the water on a boat. It's perfect for couples and tourists that would like to just -see- what's going on.
Right underneath the bridgeway, where Sakura and Karin can see, is a boat strolling about. Jiro's sitting down, playing his harmonica, looking a bit irritated as a fat, obnoxious man is bumping into him while trying to take pictures.
*BUMP!* "Whoa! Look at that! A bird!" *BUMP!* "Hey! There's hot babes!" Then, he bumps Jiro once more, one can see the look of irritation on Jiro's face. "OH MY GOD! IT'S SAKURA KASUGANO!" He starts taking pictures.
Needless to say, Jiro is tired of the bumping. He kindly -sweeps- his foot out to kindly -punt- the guy out of the boat, which results in a loud and large splash.
Of course, he was imagining that was Alma at the same time.
With a satisfied smile, he dusts his hands off, then he extends a hand in the air, looking up towards Sakura and Karin as they're near his sight. "Yo!" He calls out.
While the hand's stretched out, a pigeon slowly descends, resting along Jiro's hand. "Hey." He scritches the bird's head, looking up at the two opponents.
And there's Sakura now.
Karin doesn't need to look up to know it's her, and since everybody is playing to type she's no different, putting her teacup down and pressing her fingers to her temples. "Just because it's international television doesn't mean you should make a spectacle of yourself in public, Sakura," the blonde chides as she gets up, leaving Ishizaki to clean up the remains of her teatime and settle the check. Karin can't stop herself from grinning as she approaches the bridge, however. "I suppose one must go with her strengths, though."
Finally reaching her side of the stone bridge, the Kanzuki heiress glances down at Jiro with a curt nod. Not unfriendly, simply... businesslike. She does, however, regard the irritating tourist with a faint smile. "As irritable as ever, I see," she asides to Jiro, before cracking her knuckles and getting into stance. "Well, then. Seeing as the players are all assembled, shall we get underway?"
COMBATSYS: Karin has started a fight here.
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Karin 0/-------/-------|
Sakura doesn't need international television to make a doofus of herself! She can do just fine without the cameras or the audience! "Hee-hee... guess you're right about that!" she replies, scratching the back of her head as she walks close. Luckily, an official is on hand to watch her souvenirs for her. She probably won't notice if one or two go missing, either...
But on her way there, she notes the commotion from Jiro's boat, and had turned to watch juuuust before the big splash. "H...hey. Don't go drowning my precious fans, Jiro! I'm gonna make you pay for that big-time!" She points down at pigeon-boy, miming a six-shooter being fired! "Bang!"
Clenching her fists, she turns back to Karin with a grin. "Take all the time you want getting up here, Jiro." Rivalry much?
COMBATSYS: Sakura has joined the fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Sakura 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Karin
"He had it coming." Jiro replies towards Karin. His statemnt is very simple. Sakura's reply is regarded with a grin, "I'm shaking. It's time for me to show you how much I've learned since I've been gone."
He lifts his hand out to let the pigeon fly off from his hand, shutting his eyes once more before he takes a large jump from the boat to the fighting point, then he tightens the leather straps along his hands.
Smirk.
"So, let's get the show on the road."
COMBATSYS: Jiro has joined the fight here.
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Jiro 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 0/-------/-------|
Unlike Sakura, Karin doesn't really know much from Jiro's training; the two only fought the once and their past relationship seems mired in the tragedy that was the Metro City takeover. And although she does think of her rivalry with Sakura as the main motivator for being here... she can't help but be a little curious. "People who make such statements..." the blonde says casually, before ducking forward and driving a straight punch directly toward Jiro's sternum, "...should be prepared to back them up with deeds!"
Shaking? "Oh, you'll be shaking, alright!" rejoins Sakura, clenching her fists once again. Jiro's leaping in, and really, Sakura isn't =all= too concerned about it, as Karin's right here and ready to go!
Until she jumps out and levels a punch at Jiro instead. "... Hey, don't forget about me so quickly!" she cries out, clearing the distance to Karin with two long strides, before leaping into a low kick, aimed at knocking Karin's legs out from under her. "Hyaaaaa!"
Hey, it was either that or huck a fireball.
COMBATSYS: Jiro blocks Karin's Quick Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Jiro 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 0/-------/-------|
It is interesting that Karin is deciding to go after him with her charging fist. The Stray Dog looks very amused by the incoming punch. He does not step into it like he normally would. Instead, Jiro leans forward while having both of his arms out. The forearms meet with Karin's fist, which sends Jiro sprawling back.
Jiro is not the type to -NOT- retailiate. Because once when Karin is going to be surprised attacked by Sakura, Jiro's charging in himself.
He's reaching out for her shirt, because if he can grab her, he's going to throw her.
...Right onto the approaching boat coming up this way.
It's a big boat, or at least, the big white boat is large enough as allowed to cross underneath the bridge.
COMBATSYS: Karin dodges Jiro's Quick Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Jiro 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Karin with Medium Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Jiro 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 0/-------/----===|
The good news for Karin is that she is deft enough to spin out of the way entirely of Jiro's grab for her seifuku tunic and thus avoids behind hurled into the canal, which might not be as bad as Southtown River but is certainly no picnic. However, it also keeps her from being able to make an effective defense against Sakura's kick, which impacts Karin's side just as she turns away from Jiro and almost sends her over the bridge... which she suddenly catches by reaching out with her left arm and practically dangling from the railing. "I didn't forget about you," she tells Sakura calmlay, before practically *running* along the side of the bridge and then vaulting back over the railing, lashing out at her rival's shoulders with a particularly nasty-looking aerial kick.
COMBATSYS: Sakura interrupts Heavy Kick from Karin with Large Hadouken EX.
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Jiro 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-------/=======|
Sakura didn't think she'd hit Karin quite so high -- though that's probably due to the way her rival evaded Jiro's attack. Bobbing back from the impact, Sakura shuffles her feet to regain her balance, glancing over at Jiro for one moment while Karin's dangling on for dear life! (Or dear not-getting-wetness, rather...) "Good!" she chirps, backing away to give Karin the chance to pull herself back onto the bridge.
Granted, when someone's driving a kick at your shoulder, instincts kick in. Sakura's skill is largely based on her natural reflexes and conditioned responses -- which is why the moppy-haired tomboy has a rapid response for Karin.
That is to say, the Kanzuki heiress' vaulting kick does crash into Kasugano's shoulder, but the Ansatsuken prodigy is partly spinning out from beneath her, seamlessly sidestepping into a position that allows both palms to slam forward into Karin's torso.
And a gigantic blue flare of chi accompanies that palm strike, as does a familiar cry: "HADOOOOOUKEN!"
Of note, Sakura's sideways swivel means the Hadouken is paralleling the bridge, so maybe Karin won't get wet just yet!
Though... Sakura steps back, rubbing her shoulder gingerly. "Y.... you almost got me!" she chirps, before glancing over to Jiro. "Hey, weren't you were gonna show *me* something?" It's always 'me, me, me' with Sakura, isn't it?
It is funny. Sakura has not gotten any attention from Jiro, so it is actually no wonder that the young man sets his sights right at the school girl.
With Karin slippig past his grasps and Sakura sweeping Karin downa nd then throwing a fireball at her direction, Jiro smirks a little more. Then, he tightens his fists before he takes a huge leap into the air.
His foot raises high as it gives off a glint.
"Yes, I just need to give you a huge headache first." He moves his foot downward, "Haaaaaa!" He comes down with foot moving down like a guillotine, aimed to take out Sakura's head.
It is just not Karin's day in Amsterdam. Her kick doesn't impact with nearly as much force as she had hoped, while Sakura's countering Hadouken impacts her rival with considerably more force than is necessary, sending her skidding back along the bridge and coming to an ungainly stop on the opposite side. When she gets up, she doesn't look at all pleased, but as long as her opponents are content to smack each other around a moment, she's perfectly fine with taking a second to gather her thoughts. A comeback is not out of the question... Karin just needs to see if FedEx delivers miracles on weekends.
COMBATSYS: Karin gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Sakura blocks Jiro's Guillotine Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 0/-------/-======|
However Jiro may feel about this, Sakura would prefer for her head not to be 'taken out', whatever that may entail. Raising her forearm, the schoolgirl drops into a half-crouch, effectively absorbing the impact from Jiro's overhead kick.
"Headache?!" she calls out, surging upwards sharply in an attempt to catch the stray's leg while he's on the rebound. "That wasn't even a brain freeze!" And she hopes to have grabbed Jiro's leg by this point, such that she can twist around sharply and toss him a good distance away. Maybe even back onto that boat! "Hyaaaaa!"
COMBATSYS: Jiro fails to counter Quick Throw from Sakura with Backlash.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 0/-------/-======|
Here was the plan. Whip his body over as Sakura planned to grab his leg and then spin it over for a lovely Backlash for Sakura to fall into the boat with him driving her on it.
That was the plan.
Unfortunately, it did not execute so well as Jiro is grabbed by the foot, and he tries to reach over for the hand by hunching his back forward. By the time he gets around to that, Jiro is flung over towards the boat.
He lands on his stomach hard. "OOF!" He grunts angrily, muttering under his breath. "...Okay...." He looks at both Sakura and Karin, "COME ON IN! The boat's fine!"
Better to sink you in, pretties!
Although it wasn't the great rest she really needed, perhaps the break was just enough to get Karin back in the game. She watches Jiro and Sakura's antics with... some amusement, perhaps, but more importantly it gives her an opportunity to think over how she wants to approach this. Deciding she can't stay on the defensive forever, the blonde rushes forward at Sakura with two quick palm thrusts, before arcing a kick upwards that will hopefully carry the Taiyo schoolgirl airborne and land her on the deck next to Jiro. "After you."
COMBATSYS: Karin successfully hits Sakura with Guren Ken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 0/-------/-======|
Belly flops onto =water= hurt. Belly flops onto boats, Sakura surmises, would hurt even more -- and that'd be why she's wincing in sympathetic pain. "Oops. Sorry 'bout that!"
Well, she's not =really= sorry. This is a battle! And that's about when Sakura turns back to her other opponent: the one running towards her with a series of palm thrusts.
"Ack!" That's about all she has time to say before the palm strikes land, knocking Sakura towards the railing! Arms flailing to either side for balance, she's left defenseless for the high Mujin Kyaku that would propel her into the air! "Guh..."
But... at least she can make the most of it, by shifting around so that she flies, elbow-first, down onto Jiro! "Incoming!"
COMBATSYS: Jiro fails to counter Fierce Punch from Sakura with Bull Fist.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 0/-------/-======|
Hey, look at the school girl fly! Jiro is lifting his head up to see the young girl soar straight onto the boat. He can't help but laugh at the fall onto the boat, coming his way.
Too perfect.
"Time to give you some more air time!" He winds his fist back, glaring at Sakura, "SEI!" He awaits, prepping the fist forward for the climatic strike that will triumph over Sakura's own elbow coming towards his face.
Unfortunately, by the time Jiro sends the fist out, Sakura's elbow meets with his face, which in turn, sends him off course of the strike and has him flttened on the ground.
Karin doesn't have time to gloat about her attack, or wince at Jiro's failed counter. Why? Because the boat with her opponents is getting away. Running alongside the shore, she tries to think quickly and notes another boat running alongside. Making a leap from the shore to the slower-moving boat, she dashes along the deck of that and, reaching down, snags one of the tires that are used as impromptu bumpers, and chucks it at Sakura. "Don't forget your inner tube!" she singsongs as she leaps again in mid-throw, heading toward the boat with her opponents on it. Risky, but it could be worse.
COMBATSYS: Sakura dodges Karin's Large Thrown Object.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\1 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 0/-------/-======|
Luckily, Jiro's able to break Sakura's fall, giving her the opportunity to tuck into a roll, tumbling along the deck of the boat a good way before snapping back to her feet. She snaps a quick salute to the captain as she rises, "Sorry for the trouble!" -- just before springing back at Jiro with every aim of attacking him!"
But it's just about then that Sakura's intuition warns her to look to her left. Inner tube? Oh HEYL NAW! Eyes widen for a moment, before Sakura sharply jumps towards the side of the captain's cabin. Springing off the side just instants before the inner tube bounces against the side of the cabin, Kasugano twists in mid-air, coming down towards Karin with an overhead, spinning kick! "It's okay! I'm a good swimmer!"
How annoying. Jiro is grumbling under his breath after the landing. He slowly staggers up to his feet, narrowing his eyes once more, then he looks over at Sakura as she prepares to rush his way.
Jiro bolts after her, until the inner tube is hurled.
He stops, the sees Karin, then he sees Sakura go after Karin. So, what does Jiro do?
He grins, then he immediately kicks his leg at the water, then he sends the water towards Sakura.
"Eat the pond." Then, he spins around, "With my foot as the main dish." He adds while the foot jolts toward Sakura's stomach.
COMBATSYS: Karin fails to counter Light Kick from Sakura with Yasha Gaeshi.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-------/=======|
The blonde wasn't particularly expecting to hit Sakura with a large, heavy object so much as she had hoped it would be a good momentary distraction. Which it was... for Jiro, apparently, and not for her. The kick impacts the side of the blonde's head *hard*, sending her stumbling back to the prow, where she only barely catches the end in time, her legs dragging through the water as she attempts to hold on. The boat's not moving fast, but fighting the drag of the water is taking some time. "Lucky you."
COMBATSYS: Karin focuses on her next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Sakura dodges Jiro's Heavy Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-------/=======|
Oof. Sakura thought for sure Karin would be able to capitalize on the weak delivery of that kick, but... well, perhaps not! Wincing at Kanzuki as she lands in a crouch, Sakura once again calls out, "Sorry about that!"
Juuuust as Jiro's closing in. Eat the pond? Main course? "... what?!" She gets splashed by the water from Jiro's upended bucket, but she's quick enough to sidestep out of the way of his =foot=. Luckily for her, wet t-shirts aren't of too much concern!
"Are you even speaking the same language we are?" she quips, tugging the boat's life preserver off its rack! "Man, sit =down= already, klutzoid!" And with that, Sakura slings the life preserver at Jiro, using its attached line as a bolo to wrap around Jiro's arm and pull him down to the boat's deck once more! "Hyaa!"
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Jiro with Thrown Object.
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Jiro 1/------=/=======|=======\=------\1 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-------/=======|
Of course, Jiro doesn't realize what he said did _NOT_ make sense. His language right now is 'fighting', not etiquittes of English. The Stray Dog immediately lunges towards Sakura as she slings the preserver at him. "EGHNK!" The line wraps around his arm and he's yanked to the deck.
Landing on the ground, Jiro growls under his breath, "....God... damnit..." He coughs. He staggers about for a bit, then he smiles at Sakura, "Okay, time for you to sink or swim." He extends his right hand up in the air, as if he is preparing to use another chi-related strike. But instead...
...He lunges towards Sakura, extending his left hand out towards her wrist. Should he be successfuly, he's going to whip that hand out to send Sakura towards the water.
"Fly, schoolgirl, fly!"
So, Karin can swim. Probably at least as well as Sakura can... but being dragged behind a boat is another thing entirely, and it is taking some serious effort for the blonde to haul herself onto the deck. Thankfully Jiro's assault gives her some of the time she needs to get her bearings, kneeling on the prow and chattering her teeth a bit; running water is always colder than still water. She's in no shape to move, but she can't just sit there like a log. Thinking quickly, she espies a thick docking rope lying on the deck between herself and the other two combatants. Snapping out with one hand, she furrows her brow and simply pulls it taut. Hopefully it'll trip Sakura up as planned... and not Jiro, as unintended.
COMBATSYS: Sakura blocks Jiro's Quick Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Jiro 1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Sakura blocks Karin's Quick Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////// ]
Jiro 1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/------=/=======|
Right wrist: Jiro's hand! Left ankle: Karin's rope! This game of Twister, though, is much more painful than the one marketed to tweens and teens!
Sakura's able to swat Jiro's hand away with a pre-emptive strike, wrinkling her nose in disgust: "I don't think so!" But the instant she feels a rope wrap around her ankle, she knows she's gonna be needed elsewhere. "One moment, please!" And one split second after Karin pulls the rope taut, the rope biting into the thin flesh of her ankle, Sakura's leaping backwards. Her intent -- keep the rope slack while closing in for the kill! Er, the strike, as the case may be. And with the rope wrapped one way around her leg, and Sakura not even =facing= her opponent, it seems like a perfect opportunity for her helicopter-like spin kick: "SHUNPUUUU KYAKU!" The rope unwinds from Kasugano's foot as it whirls towards her rival!
Once the hand is swatted, Jiro grumbles in annoyance. "Alright..." He tightens his fists, preparing for an attackfor Sakura. So While Sakura is focusing her attention on Karin, the Stray Dog is doing his best to actually to time his plan right.
...And the moment that Sakura launches the spinning kick, Jiro is running in, trying to capitalize for the moment that Sakura's foot lowers.
He leaps up in the air, and then he extends his arm out.
For the Ultimate Move.
The Clothesline. Except, it's a flying clothesline.
COMBATSYS: Karin fails to counter Shunpuu Kyaku from Sakura with Gedan Yasha Gaeshi.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Jiro 1/------=/=======|=======\===----\1 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-----==/=======|
Not exactly the response Karin was hoping for, but what can one expect... Sakura has been dominating the fight from the word 'go', and the frustration is indeed starting to show on the blonde's face. As the spinning kick comes in she snaps up a hand to hopefully brush it out of the way. That... doesn't really work so well, as the momentum of Sakura's kick simply knocks her palm out of the way. Thinking quickly, however, Karin is able to interpose her OTHER hand -- or at least her forearm -- at the last second, diverting most of the force of the blow and giving her at least one last shot at staying in the game. She mphs in pain, but doesn't add much to the conversation at the moment.
COMBATSYS: Sakura fails to interrupt Strong Punch from Jiro with Small Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Jiro 1/-----==/=======|=======\====---\1 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-----==/=======|
Sakura's running completely on intuition this fight, it seems! But perhaps her luck is drawing to an end, for as soon as she manages to kick Karin around... well, Jiro's right on top of her.
Rather, right up in her throat, as his arm collides and carries her backwards. "-HRRRK!" Sakura's slammed back by the painful blow, the sneaky ball of blue flame she'd planned to counterattack Jiro with dissipating in her hands as she clasps for her throat, gasping for air. Seems Karin's not the =only= one pausing in the piecemeal attempt at a conversation!
The funny thing is that Karin has not been forgotten about through the whole fight. THe problem is that Sakura has been the Juggernaut though the entire fight.
But that changes when he gives Sakura the clothesline that she would never forget. The young man glares over at the fallen schoolgirl. "Don't you know who I am?" He extends his right hand into the air.
This time, the chi does come to life, flowing through the air as the raw power channels once more. The very essence of the chi ripples through the air in the form of white flames.
With the chi manifesting, the Stray Dog gathers more of the chi's uncontrollable wrath. The eyes narrow as his snarl becomes more apparent, "I'm the Juggernaut, bitch!" He calls out, "REBEL!"
Then, the Stray Dog slams the fist towards the surface of the docks, "SPIKE!" A shockwave from the chi erupt into life in the form of gysers. Spreading apart, they seek to blast into the heavens rapidly. He aims to send Sakura into the lake.
Breathing out slowly, Karin surveys the situation. Sakura's certainly in the better position here, but the blonde is starting to feel like a bit of a bully... and more to the point is disturbed that Sakura is having little (discernible) trouble fending off two people at once. But now the Stray Dog has decided to go for the gusto... and it leaves Karin an excellent opening to take one opponent out of the fight and hopefully set her up for a comeback against her rival. "I don't relish this..." she says simply, before lashing out at Jiro's head with her trademark split overhead down-sweeping punch, "...but I aim to win!"
COMBATSYS: Sakura overcomes Rebel Spike from Jiro with Shinkuu Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/------=|===----\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-----==/=======|
Coughing, wheezing, etc, etc, Sakura reeeeeeally doesn't have the voice to speak up in response to Jiro's horrific use of pop culture. Has she seen that video? Heck yeah -- that'd be why she grooooans and shakes her head from side to side.
From the brilliant surge of blue-white energy coalescing into her fingertips, it's quite obvious she's unimpressed by Jiro's attack. Whispering hoarsely, "Ssssshhhhnnkuuuuuu..." over the crackling of electricity, she glances over to see Karin closing in. Maybe... this would be a bit of overkill?
Ah, to heck with it. She gets paid more for making a mess! "HADOOOOOOUKEN!!"
Geysers cease to be an issue, as the force of Sakura's own shockwave is more than enough to snuff the chi waves -- not to mention ROCK THE BOAT, which threatens to fling all of the combatants off of it. And possibly the captain as well!
COMBATSYS: Jiro dodges Karin's Strong Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/------=|===----\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-----==/=======|
COMBATSYS: Jiro fails to interrupt Shinkuu Hadouken from Sakura with Heaven's Diminisher.
[ \\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-----==/=======|
This is an interesting situation. Both Sakura and Karin have gunned out for him. This leaves him to make an attempt to avoid Karin's incoming punch. As she aims to strike at him with her overhead sweeping fist, Jiro sways his body to the side, spinning about.
...His head turns to see that Sakura is charging forth the hadouken. His eyes narrow, for not only that she has the shockwave chi extinguished, but she also rocks the boat.
...Jiro is trying to run towards Sakura in spite of the conditions. It fails as he attempts to leap into the air, because he flies right into the huge hadouken beam that Sakura lays out. "ARRRGHHH!!!"
Jiro falls right into the water with a splash.
Well, that didn't work out as planned. On the upside, Karin didn't get a Shinkuu Hadouken or a Bull Fist to her beautiful face, so she considers this a positive result on the ledger sheet. However, she's also left with no real idea of what to do. She's at a disadvantage compared to Sakura, but attacking Jiro is out of the question. Karin watches the Stray Dog float on by, then turns to Sakura and shrugs. "Hm." She scratches her cheek... then bops her rival one right in the nose.
COMBATSYS: Sakura blocks Karin's Quick Punch.
[ \\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/----===|====---\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-----==/=======|
Bops... on the nose? Sakura handles this in typical Three Stooges fashion -- snapping her hand up, basically 'chopping' Karin's bop right down the middle. Nyuk nyuk nyuk.
Of course, she's also hopping backwards, widening her stance to compensate for the rocking boat. It may not be the =best= course of action... but knowing that Karin's about to attack her stays Kasugano's hand for a few moments. Gritting her teeth in desperation, she opts to withhold from attacking for just one moment. Even the high-powered fighting fangirl's gotta catch her breath every once in a while!
COMBATSYS: Sakura gains composure.
[ \\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-----==/=======|
Slowly emerging from the water, the Stray Dog is coughing and hacking angrily. He's a wet mutt now. His expression?
Scowl. Huge scowl.
He emerges from the water, then he approaches Sakura slowly. Or rather, he is turning towars Karin. He is extending his right hand out, preparing to greet the woman with a tap on the shoulder.
Should she turn around, she's going to receive a snap of a lunge kick to the solar plex, for a set up...
COMBATSYS: Karin counters Strong Throw from Jiro with Yasha Gaeshi.
[ \\\ < > /////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/----===/=======|
Jiro's move is a classic, isn't it? If the laws of drama worked as they should, it would have made for a particularly amusing setup (for everyone but Karin). The blonde does turn around as the Stray Dog taps her on the shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Yes?" She can be so calm because she has his foot cupped in her right palm nonchalantly. "Pardon. I've never liked the smell of wet dog." To add insult to injury, she whips her hand to the left to throw Jiro off-balance, and then drives her elbow right into his sternum to get him to back off. Not a hard hit, but better than taking the kick to the side. "Sei... do!"
Okay, maybe that =was= overkill in the Jiro-ward direction, just now. Sakura scratches her cheek as the Stray Dog is turned about by Karin's famous counterattack, fighting back the urge to snicker at her rival's rebuttal, but... "... this is no time to be admiring you!" she mutters under her breath.
Lo, and Sakura of the Breezy Skirt charged at Karin, bestowing unto Karin's back a rapid high kick, and to the cameras a most unholy view of red gym shorts. "Hyaa!"
Wet dog. What an insult. The fact that she has his foot is also an insult. Once she takes him off balanace and then drives the elbow against his head, Jiro slams on the ground -hard-. "EGHN!"
Slowly, he gets back up to his feet, mumbling a bit with an annoyed tone. Extending both of his hands into the air, Jiro releases a scream, "ARRRGGHHHHH!!!"
...Sakura's Skirt is kicked up!
HELLO--Argh! Damnit! That messes up his concentration on his short-term vengeance vow.
Jiro forms two blazing balls in his grasp, made of white flames. Then, Jiro crosses his arms towards Sakura, sending the two blazing spheres to fly her way, "RIOT CROSS!" He calls out.
Once the spheres close in, they splice together into a cross, dashing forth towards the woman's direction.
COMBATSYS: Karin blocks Sakura's Light Kick.
[ \ < > /////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/---====/=======|
"That is simply inappropriate," Karin says chidingly, bringing up a hand and interposing it between Sakura's kick and her side. "What kind of image of Japan are you giving to the people of the Netherlands?" And Jiro is on the warpath... so the blonde decides to stay out of it entirely, taking a step back to make sure she's out of the way, and simply assessing the situation. Perhaps Sakura and Jiro will headbutt each other into the drink and leave her the winner.
COMBATSYS: Karin focuses on her next action.
[ \ < > /////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/---====/=======|
COMBATSYS: Sakura overcomes Riot Cross from Jiro with Large Thrown Object.
[ \ < > //////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/---====/=======|
Oof. Never before has one slight breeze had so many ramifications! Sakura pulls her foot back, nearly tripping over the inner tube Karin had lobbed at her before!
Though... she =is= a bit embarassed from Karin's words. Not permanently so, but just enough that her cheeks are red as she tumbles to the deck, half-cocked to the side.
There is one advantage to this position though: in doing so, she now sees what Jiro's up to. "Chill out, dude!"
And she doesn't like it.
So, in the path of the so-named Riot Cross is flung the inner tube she tripped over. "Here, have a donut!"
And the spheres get bowled out of the way by the spinning tube!
COMBATSYS: Jiro dodges Sakura's Large Thrown Object.
[ \ < > //////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/---====/=======|
Crap. Not good.
Sakura bowls over his flaming balls with her spinning tube. The Stray Dog immediately sprints over towards Sakura, grabbing the object as it is flying his way.
Along the way he's leaping into the air. He aims to have it lifted up highthen he winds it straight down towards Sakura's head. Should he be successful, he's going to spin-toss her to the water.
The back and forth is actually quite amusing for Karin, who actually realizes, after her defense against Sakura's kick, that this fight has taken its toll on her considerably. Thus she decides not to get involved just yet and instead to circle both of her opponents, looking at the deck, at their moves, and trying to strategize some sort of winning solution out of this mess. "This has been interesting, but we've got to draw this dance to a close shortly..."
COMBATSYS: Karin gains composure.
[ \\ < > //////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-----==/=======|
COMBATSYS: Sakura interrupts Quick Throw from Jiro with Jab Punch.
[ < > ////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Sakura
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Karin 1/-----==/=======|
With Karin circling and strategizing, Sakura's forced to consider Jiro as her first and foremost threat. And with him attempting wacky aerial antics, Sakura falls back onto her training with Ryu to tell her what the best way to respond is.
And that answer is: quickly, directly, and to the point. The quickest way possible is for the rowdy schoolgirl to just lash forward and sock Jiro in the nose, much like Karin had attempted upon her moments prior. *WHAM!* Sure, she gets slung around a bit, but with the boat still shaking -- well, she's had time to get used to a little turbulence.
"Y...yeah, yeah we do!" announces Sakura with a chirp, hopping back from Jiro with a weary grin. "A big hurricane might break the dams here or something! We're under sea level, you know!" Sakura, the educator.
*WHAMMO!* Jiro is given a quick punch in the face, which halts him from any further action. He grunts once while staggering about the boat, then he leans back with a stagger, and then...
The young man collapses on the dock, taken out with the quick punch. KERTHUD!
COMBATSYS: Jiro takes no action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Karin
COMBATSYS: Jiro can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/---====|=======\==-----\1 Karin
Jiro going down does not shock Karin too much; it was obvious to her that he had a grudge going with Sakura, and thus she chose to exploit it a little bit. Cold, perhaps, but good strategy frequently seems a little cold from the outside. "Well, now that that's out of the way..." she says cheerfully, turning to Sakura with a grin, "let's get this done!" She snaps her leg out, shifting her arms into a defensive position as her kick aims squarely at Sakura's tummy.
COMBATSYS: Sakura blocks Karin's Light Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1 Karin
It wasn't that she was =ignoring= Karin standing over there looking pretty -- she had Jiro attacking her and everything! "Sure, let's do it!"
And as that mid-level kick comes in, Sakura drops low and thrusts her handguard into its path. Padding for the win!
It's what comes =after= the block that makes a difference -- as Sakura rises into a rapid rising uppercut, hoping to worm in beneath Karin's guard. "SHOOOOU'OOOU KEN!"
Jiro Kasagi jets now.
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Karin with Shou'ou Ken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-======|=======\======-\1 Karin
Ow.
Worm under her guard it does; Karin had hoped to counter Sakura's last move as a coup-de-grace, but she finds herself undable to deal with the unrepdictability of Sakura's improvised moves. Indecisive, she decides at the last second to try and evade, and moves too slowly; the punch impacts her rather squarely in the jaw, sending her stumbling back almost off the prow. However, this time she's on the ball and stops herself just at the edge... before rocketing forward with a wild smile on her face. "It's now or never!" Lashing out with every punch she can think of, the Kanzuki heiress is a blur of motion, ending with one extremely powerful Hou Shou intending to send Sakura right THROUGH the cabin of the small boat if she must.
COMBATSYS: Sakura fails to interrupt Kanzuki-ryu Shinpikaibyaku from Karin with Small Hadouken.
[ \\\\\\\ <
Karin 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Sakura can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\ <
Karin 0/-------/-------|
Karin's right about that -- with Sakura being risky against both her and Jiro, there's no better time than the present! It just so happens that Sakura was landing from her desperate uppercut when Karin began what would be the final charge -- and, in doing so, had left herself wide open for attack.
And that's when Karin's fist introduced her to the cabin wall. They were urged by the city not to cause any damage, but that's of little consequence to fighters trained to win at any cost! Sakura's plowed through the cabin wall, with splintering wood flying every direction from the series of assaults! Kasugano's body is blasted out the other side, sailing -off- the boat and into the canal, after inadvertently taking the captain's desk and logbook along for the tumultuous ride.
It's not long before a Howard Enterprises skiff pulls alongside the floating schoolgirl, barely able to tread water in the canal given her current condition... but she flashes the thumbs-up to her opponent just the same! A win is a win, right? "Congrats!" she shouts back -- though with how fast the recently-lightened boat was traveling, Karin would probably need to know lip-reading to understand what Sakura had said!
Although it would be a mistake to say that a red haze fades from Karin's eyes once her assault is over, she certainly was in a sort of... zoned state during the entire affair, a result of the intense focused concentration required to keep the assault going at the ridiculous speed that makes it effective. She blinks a few times once she's not quite so focused, looking with confusion at the sudden lack of a central cabin. "...ah," she says, muted. "I suppose I'm going to be getting a letter about *that*."
She glances over to see Sakura rescued from potential drowning and does indeed breathe a sigh of relief to know that her rival won't die. As for Jiro at her feet, the blonde looks down enough to make sure he's breathing, then looks for the crowds on the shore and waves.
"Well... so much for that."
Log created by Sakura, and last modified on 12:51:12 07/17/2006.