L.A.W. - League of Anime Wrestling

Kaede Okamoto had been using a small gym tucked away in Tokyo for a few weeks now. She had taken to using it precisely because of how unremarkable it was. Despite it being a LAW gym, it didn't see particularly heavy use and she liked it that way.

She had developed a routine. First she'd do a quick warm up, then she'd head towards the back of the building, to a door led to a cramped alleyway that was walled in on three sides with a fourth side blocked off by a gate. There, she'd sit on top of a garbage bin up against one of its walls and drink a cup of coffee and a bagel, then proceed to catch up on some news for half an hour or so before heading back inside to continue her workout.

It was a somewhat odd practice, but it reminded her of a spot she'd often spend her high school lunches. More than once she'd managed to bait older athletic girls into coming by to fight her. One such girl, Kate Beaton, would become a friend. The then high school senior and trained boxer had an upper hand on her the first time they fought and felt bad for beating up the then 14 year old Kaede, letting her concede gracefully instead of finishing her off. Being a brat she'd attempt to sucker punch Kate, who blocked it and paid Kaede back by slamming her first into Kaede's solar plexus and dropping her. Kaede would constantly challenge Kate rematches, which consistently concluded with Kaede getting the wind knocked out of her. Eventually they'd get friendly and spar every now and then on weekends at a local gym.

Kate was very different from Kaede, being well adjusted kind and with a large social consciousness, but she soon learned the best way to teach Kaede was to kick her ass, which she frequently did. It was an entirely platonic relationship, however, both had boyfriends at the time (Or at least, Kaede had a cute nerdy thrall) and Kaede lacked any physical interest in other girls besides beating them up.

Kate was part of why Kaede developed her own weird 'empathy' that'd see her act generally kind to anyone she was going to be able to pick a fight with.

One day after Kaede finished a quick warm up and she headed towards the back of the building with her coffee and bagel in hand, she caught sight of well built blonde woman. This wouldn't have been particularly notable, however, if it weren't for the fact Kaede passed, she managed to catch sight of her eye colour.

Purple.

She stopped in her tracks and turned around. Was this who she thought she was? Kaede kept her composure.

"Hey, are you Yang, by any chance?"

What’s there to say about Yang Xiao Long, sure there were insults thrown at her. Common ones like the basic bitch, bimbo, cunt and so much more. But what about the good things while she got them less they were still said. Caring, motherly, fun loving, friendly. Safe to say Yang is a polarizing figure when it comes to people that meet her. You either love her or hate her.

Above most of those things though, Yang was a fighter. She loved fighting, and like any other fighter she trained and practiced. Now that she was in Tokyo for long stretches of time. Yang made it a habit to visit several gyms. As a way to meet the most amount of folks from different walks of life. Like any other gym rat or avid gym goer. Yang had a schedule for what body part to work on, since its Yang it is something she loosely follows. Still one schedule is better than no schedule.

Today work out was upper body and arms. Yang’s favorite days as an aside. She started the workout with something light lifting dumbbells. Now Yang being the freak she is does reps of 20, 10 times adding to 200. Now that she is primed up, Yang goes to pull ups. If she’s going to be any fighter worth her salt she should at least be able to lift herself up. Several workouts later Yang is at a bench press. While usually Yang is one to go all out, she decided today wasn’t the day to set a new record. Be it Yang is stronger than most or everyone here isn’t all that strong. Eyes were all on Yang and the amount of plates on her bar. Kindly asking someone to spot her Yang would do her workout without any major difficulty. Lastly, Yang was going to cap things off with some work on the punching bag. Yang’s favorite method of working out. Scary sounds of the bag being pounded would shockingly fill the gym. People with their headphones in were none the wiser. Those actually listening though, while not said verbally. The general consensus was “Don’t mess with that woman”

Finishing her warm up on the bags, Yang needed a towel and a bottle of water to cool off. Taking a quick break before going back at it. Yang felt that she was friendly enough that anyone could approach her. Though maybe seeing her at the gym didn’t make Yang look that friendly. Not that she minded but it was a bummer. That was until some girl passing by behind Yang got her attention. Turning to face her, Yang was already riddled with sweat and a brimming smile on her face. Oh hey there. Yup Yang's the name, my bad if I forgot you. But do I know you? Feel like I should since you know my name hehehe

Spoiler

Yes, this was her, thought Kaede, as her hands curled into fists at her side, but she quickly released It had been awhile that she had sparred against her old friend Kate, a little longer Kate had last been in a ring.

The young promising boxer had faced Yang in a match. She knew of the blonde woman's history of delivering career ending blows. But Kate of course, would not back down, she would go toe to toe with the blonde brawler, round after round. Exchanging a couple knockdowns. Yang probably found her a frustrating opponent that simply wouldn't give in.


Whether or not that contributed to what followed was another question. Yang seized the advantage at one point and hit Kate with a flurry of punches that clearly dazed her and more likely than not she was the way to collapse to the mat and stay there. But as if to make sure, before the official could step in, Yang nailed the defenceless Kate with a vicious punch to her liver.

It certainly ensured that she wouldn't get back up in the match, in fact it ensured she wouldn't get up in a boxing ring again. Yang ruptured Kate's liver, with a shot that, while legal, was not too hard to see as a deliberate attempt to cause injury.

For Kaede's part, she saw it as entirely deliberate. She was certain that Yang, despite the friendliness she was showing Kaede now, she wouldn't hesitate to seriously injure her if she considered her to be serious enough competition.

"I'm Kaede Okamoto and no, I you don't know me, but I know of you. I have a friend, Kate Burgess, she used to be a boxer, until you ended her career, of course."

Yang was no stranger to having people approach her. Be it fans, paparazzi or people who wanted to fight her. Still after much lecturing from her sister and Weiss. Probably best to wait and figure out what side they stand on before swinging.

It is hard being as popular and friendly as Yang. That meant she needed to keep interacting with people despite not knowing their intentions. Especially in the boxing scene, everyone has big egos over there. Good thing there was a way settle shit like that. In the ring.

Now Yang tries to be a person that whatever happens in the ring stays in the ring. Sometimes that can be hard when people make things personal. Yang was always a sore loser in her own right so rematches were plenty whenever. Long story short, Yang was going to wait before throwing a punch.

That’s when the girl Yang was talking to, introduced herself and more. Even bringing up a friend. A friend that Yang coincidentally fought and ended their career. Kate Burgess? Definitely sounds familiar but that’s a basic name. Can’t say I remember her. Sorry to hear about her career though. That’s a common thing in that ring. Yang said, finishing off with a sigh. The more she spoke, Yang felt like she knew where this was going to go. So what's this? Going to get revenge? If you are, we can skip the steps and get in the ring right behind you Yang said pointing at the free boxing ring behind Kaede.

Kaede's fists closed again in anger, that dismissive 'its a common thing' enraged her. It wasn't so much what Yang at done, Kaede wasn't one to shy away from injuring her opponents if she could. What pissed her off was that Yang acted as though it was purely incidental, that it was just the result Kate's weakness rather than Yang's viciousness. That ticked her off, nevermind mocking the woman's name as 'basic'

Kaede closed distance between herself and Yang

"Basic, name? It's a common thing? You dismissive little rodent!" Kaede had confronted Yang with the intention of fighting her, but the insults convinced Kaede a ring was to good for the blonde. She glanced towards the doorway to the back alley, then turned back to Yang.

"I do want revenge, Yang, but a ring's far too safe for you, I want to pummel you like the street rat you are." Kaede would step back and walk towards to exit the the back alley behind the gym. As she pushed through the door, she'd turn around.


"Fight me out here, Yang, if you aren't a coward, or I'll... hurt someone you care about!" Kaede said, before exiting outside.

Yang’s been in enough fights to know where this is going already. Still keeping an open mind never hurt anyone. That being said she would still keep that go lucky attitude of hers. Which rubbed people in various ways, and Yang could feel that Kaede was taking this negatively. Yang’s been in enough fights that some of the names and faces blend together. Sure she could’ve done a better job at remembering some people. But god why would she, there’s so many. At least make an impact if you want to be remembered. Then Kaede would close the distance and essentially press Yang in the gym. Getting mad at her responses.

Ah so its like that…Well gotta say little rodent is a new one Yang joked, but hey she did gesture the ring. So it wouldn’t be long till the fists started flying. But Yang could tell by Kaede’s eyes that she had other ideas in mind. Well I’ll compliment you on not giving me a speech. Straight to the point. Yang said as she put her hand on her neck and rolling it. That’s when Yang was kinda surprised when Kaede went outside and wanted to fight Yang in the alley. Yang could take the insults for the most part but the moment her close friends and family were threatened. That’s a line you don’t cross. Alright then…Who am I to deny an ass beating Yang said as she went outside.

Yup this was definitely a nasty back alley. Yang could see the trash cans and dumpsters, let alone the ladders leading to the top of the gym. Alright bitch, lets get this over with. Might be a good workout Yang said as she crashed her knuckles together. Basically waiting for Kaede to get her words and and this back alley fight started.

Kaede stepped back steps away from the door, but not too far, because there wasn't much space to begin with, so she quickly had her back to the neighbouring building. Yes, there were trash cans and a dumpster, but they took up considerable amount of the width of the alley and mostly managed to fit side by side along it's length.

During Okamoto's snacks out here, she'd sometimes think about how it would be to fight in the alleyway. It was crammed and close, for the most part, there was nowhere to run. To not get hit, you'd mostly either need to hit first, or otherwise block the strike. There wasn't much room to kick either.

The Japanese redhead figured that these characteristics would give her an advantage more often than not. She was incredibly strong and could take a hit but keep on hitting. She had powerful kicks yes, but she'd always been known for her knee strikes, her muscular thighs were wider than plenty of women's torsos. Against Yang, it wouldn't be so straight forward. As a boxer she'd thrive in this environment and most of their strength or size differential was either moot or slightly in the Blonde's favor.

But that also made the opportunity to humble the boxer that much more alluring, Kaede couldn't help but imagine how satisfying it would to watch Yang's confidence deteriorate into fear and eventually futile pleas for mercy. To see those striking purple eyes swell with tears.

"Just so you know. I'm not giving you any mercy. If you put your hands up to plead for surrender, I won't heed it. If you start to collapse, I'll hit you the whole way down, if I don't just spike you face first to the pavement!" the merciless Japanese-Canadian said, lifting her fists and setting her feet.

"You'll find I'm much meaner than Kate and I got plenty more to use than my fists!"

Yang promised Ruby that she wouldn’t be getting into any crazy street fights. Made no sense since she could at least do it in the “safety” of the ring. This Kaede though was not going to let Yang make the choice. Nah instead it was all about proving some kind of point. Beating her like some hood rat.

Getting another look at the alleyway. Compared to the ring there’s more runway, but less open space. Yang was all too used to this kind of thing. Couldn’t do some crazy martial arts stuff here, so Yang naturally was going to thrive here. Kaede didn’t look like an idiot and she probably knows the same. Yang didn’t really care that much though. She was still going to cave Kaede’s face in.

Yang figured Kaede was in this for something more than payback. Otherwise Kaede just would’ve attacked Yang without her knowing. Nah its all about making a point, and thats when Kaede was going on about no mercy. Holy shit you like to hear yourself talk. You doing all of this yapping just come do something about it already. Yang said content with leaving it there. But thats when she got an idea to piss off Kaede. Laughing at first Yang would look at Kaede’s eyes Oh my god you’re meaner than Kate? Whoop de fucking do. You can send her my regards when I send you to the same hospital room as her Yang finished with a cocky grin on her face.

Whether or not Yang was playing up her own ruthlessness to get under Kaede's skin did not matter to the woman one bit. She was still implying that she intended to hospitalize her, while mocking the friend she destroyed.

Though Dr. K.O. threatened to possibly spike Yang face first to the ground, she wasn't looking to cause a career ending or even major injury. She preferred leaving that for a ring, in a sanctioned match, where nobody could question she broke any rules when she broke a woman. She'd be satisfied enough with leaving an unconscious Yang in this alley.

"I'll do something, alright!" Kaede said, as she threw a quick right handed jab Yang's face, trying to make use of a speed advantage she hoped she had to punch the purple eyed woman's smile away

If it landed, she'd attempt to immediately follow it up by grappling her foe's shoulders with both hands to pull her into a weighty right knee she'd lift and drive hard into the blonde's midsection.

Yang wasn’t a cruel person. Just a realistic person. People don’t blame lions for hunting and doing whats natural. Yet all of the sudden when boxers, no fighters brutalize each other. Suddenly blame and feelings get thrown around like they matter. It’s a lose lose situation. If Yang loses the match, she might’ve needed to retire due to injury or even worse. Yet she wins and now Yang has people looking for payback. Yeah seems legit.

Now here she was about to get into a back alley brawl because she won a match. Whatever, just one more fight after another. Take the first shot~ Yang said as Kaede was already coming in with a stiff jab to her face. Yang’s face jolted back from the punch. It was fast alright, but it looked like she wanted to get closer. Otherwise Kaede would’ve came in with a kill shot.

Moving in close and grabbing onto her shoulders. Kaede pulled Yang in wanting to nail her in the abs with her knee. Yang wasn’t going to stand there and just take a beating. Yang blocked the knee using both her arms to catch it. That doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt, but it was better than the alternative. Looking to counter, Yang would ram her head into the bridge of Kaede’s nose!