Path Cross (Open)

[okami]

Okami made her way to the ring to strong wave of cheers from the crowd. She was growing and they were growing to like her. She spoke simply. She wore the white of goodness and her mixed style of Martial Ariel had been exciting to see on UNION.

She waved and touched hands all the way to the ring before slipping between the ropes. A microphone in one hand, she raised the other above her head to all the people around her. Her energy, she called them and it was true.

"It is good to be back in this ring. I have missed your voices. I have missed your energy. It is the light to my moth. It guides me to where I need to go. I am thankful."

A small cheer as she paused and bowed her head in thanks.

"Last year we walked together. I had to face my true enemy, Kuroguchi. I had to see my face, too. I saw it change."

Okami's mask was cut sleeker to her face and more emotion was on display. She had dropped some weight in the off-season and picked up some speed. Her body reflected the change. Her natural hair now on display, she looked the best she ever had. Her face had truly changed.

"I did not win that war with her. I did not win the Devil's Playground. I did not win much, I thought. But I was wrong. I won too many things. I just needed time to see them."

Okami looked straight at the camera that was closest to her.

"I know I belong here now."

She looked out at the crowd.

"I know you understand me."

She turned to the other side of the arena.

"I know America hides a good heart and it is open. When bad and good are the choices. It is good they choose."

Okami looked inside.

"I had many doubts. But they are gone. Last season I was just surviving day by day. Only through the kindness of you, Fabiola, Jade-san, Gold-san and few others that became so many did I make every show and fight. Grow."

Okami looked back at the camera again.

"At UNION I returned to show you the steps I took on my path last season. This path that has no end. But I see the next mountain in my Chimera and she is named Fury-san. She is majestic and strong. I will see my reflection in her because she is the pure best. How will my face look? I will know."

Okami raised a hand.

"But Valencia-san, will look first. It is the right that she won. But I will keep walking now that I can see the mountain. I will not get lost and with your voices I will not get tired."

Okami's voice got a little louder as the crowd cheered again. She looked to the back and all the Diamonds back there.

"This is the first TakeDown of this season. I spoke after UNION and said I would fight the fall and fight to hold on to what I have gained."

Her voiced steadied as she opened the path.

"Every path is different. Each Diamond has her own. But each path must cross another on TakeDown. It is the only way forward."

[mrfeelnothing]

Just then the PA begans to erupt as the sounds of Hatebreed's "Live For This" fill the arena. Out walks the Straight Edge Vixen herself Paige Monroe.

Paige pulls out a microphone and holds it up to her lips...

Well

Well

Well

Hawaito, Okami...Konnichiwa, I'm Paige Monroe, the pleasure is yours I'm sure. What a funny choice of words you have chosen to as you address the crowd this evening. Funny to me mainly because you speak of the paths you have crossed and mountains you aim to climb.

Earlier this week I too spoke of the roads I have crossed and mountains,whom peaks I have ascended. My lastest challenge is the Diamond Division. I issued a challenge earlier this week, and I have yet to find any takers, willing to step up to the plate. So I guess I'm going to have to use proactive thinking and just take the fight to the Diamonds....

The crowd begins to show their appreciation or lack there of towards Paige for interrupting Hawaito.

.. if you are having a hard time following, I'm bringing the challenge I issused to you. Consider our paths crossing now..

Monroe lowers the mic and awaits Okami's response...

[okami]

Okami bowed her head in greetings, but she never took her eyes off of Monroe's. She had learned that last season. It had been a hard one to forget.

"If you want to find something, it is best to go and find it. If you sit and wait, you will find nothing that you do not already have."

Okami studied the young woman. She saw a desperation to prove something. In her voice she heard the arrogance of youth and strength. In her style she saw the mutilation of skin with ink. She was trying to be different and maybe pain made her feel alive. Okami felt bad for her. She hoped she would find her way in the world someday.

"I do not 'follow you', Monroe-san. I follow only the path. It takes us where we need to go."

Okami's eyes were clear and her voice had no malice in it.

"I need to meet you. You will teach me something and I will try to give you something too. I hope we both step forward, Monroe-san. Your challenge is accepted."

Okami bowed slightly before she handed the microphone to the ring attendant and untied her entrance cloak from her throat. She passed that over as well. All the time she kept her eyes on her opponent. They never wavered, even when the referee entered the ring. The crowd cheered for the coming action and Okami could feel it inside of her limbs. Her blood warmed with the adrenaline. She put her arms up near her head in an obvious fighting position.

[mrfeelnothing]

Monroe nods and a devilish grin stretches across her face, as she once again brings the microphone towards her lips.

I'm..I'm no hunter but I've been told stories of the artic. And how the natives there will at times hunt wolves. Now it's tradition for these hunters to get themselves a double edged blade. On one end they'll cover it in blood, while sticking the opposite end in the ice. Leaving only the blood soaked end protruding. The next step for the hunter is to merely wait..wait for their prey.

And low and behold but who comes along but the hungry wolf. She's looking for her next meal and she smells the blood (said while making the smelling motion with her hand). And she thinks she finds that meal. So the wolf begins to lick the blade thus cutting her own tongue, bringing more blood. Now in the wolf's mind (pointing her index finger towards her head) she's getting the meal of a lifetime. So she licks and drinks licks and drinks. In such a vicious cycle that she bleeds herself dry. Easy pickings for that hunter sitting, waiting.

The crowd begins to boo Monroe showing their disapproval for her comments. Monroe slowly starts her march down the ramp towards the ring.

You Hawaito! You are that wolf I speak of. You coming out here thinking you've found prospective. You thinking you've found knowledge in your bag of ignorance. (All said while pointing towards the ring and Hawaito.)

And I'm, I'm the cunning hunter who set the trap. (While pointing her finger at her own chest.) In this case the challenge, knowing that you're the hungry wolf. Looking to feed her hunger of knowledge and experience will take on on any battle placed in front of her. It's role in all of this is as the double edged blade.

Monroe makes her way up the ring steps and enters the ring, never taking her eyes off of Hawaito.

You may think you need this battle to move forward here but what you've done is lick a blade. And you're already wounded. (She begins to nod, as if she is agreeing with herself.) And by the end of the night you'll bleed yourself out. And I'm, I'm that hunter that has arrived to skin your carcass.

Monroe hands the ring attendant the microphone and prepares for the upcoming battle.

[okami]

Goldman: That was completely uncalled for. Okami did nothing but treat this woman with respect and what does she get in return? I don't even know what that was.

Buzz: That. Was. Disgusting.

Goldman: Astute observation, Buzz. That was graphic and over the line. I don't know how much of that story Okami understood. But it seems to be enough of it as she is ready to go before Paige even gets into the ring.

Buzz: Seriously, a tongue knife? There's just nothing hot about that no matter how hard I try. I'm not Okami's biggest fan, but those are some big words from the freaky debut girl. Especially considering what Okami just did at UNION. She just might be feasting on her own words tonight.

Goldman: She wouldn't be the first woman to learn the hard way that her experiences mean nothing in the XWA. It's a whole different game we play up here.

Okami had understood enough as the announcers talked on. Wolf. Hunt. Blood. Skin. The gestures Monroe used help to fill in the missing blanks. Much like Manami last season, this woman wanted to do more than win the match. She wanted Okami's blood and skin on her hands. And just like Manami, Okami could not figure out why.

The path did not explain itself. It would be up to her to find the answers if there were any. Sometimes things just were. She took a deep breath, her eyes still locked on Paige as the bell rang.