A clearing (Fury, ?, ??) *ppvspoiler*

[okami]

The Rosemont crowd cheered as the distinct music of Okami played in the Allstate Arena. The White Wolf walked out on to the stage, and pointed to the crowd in response. She had wanted very badly to join the XWA trip to Japan. But the path had turned away to Illinois instead. She followed it down the ramp.

Matt Goldman: "The White Wolf is here, and the crowds have really been rallying around her. The three way match at Madness was not for the weak of heart."

BuZZ BeRmaN: "It wasn't for Manami Kuroguchi either. But I'll give her credit, she did some things at Madness I've never seen before."

Madness 2010 was now behind her. She had been satisfied with the defeat of her arch-nemesis Manami. Karma had been served and that was more important than victory. She had applauded Monroe-san again, perhaps their paths would cross again some day. But today The White Wolf made her way down to the ring, with her cape flowing behind her. She touched the hands of the younger people around the ring. She stopped more than once for a photo as a hundred cell phones glowed to her entrance. It was exciting and it made her feel good. But the path to the ring was not about the reception, it was about who she going to try to face. The path had lead her here. She did not know what was next.

She climbed into the ring with a micrphone in her hand and waved once more to the crowd as the final notes of her music faded out. The crowd returning to their seats as Okami grinned.

"It is good to be in Rosemont. It is my first time!"

The crowd cheered and clapped with enthusiasm for their hometown.

"It is true my path and my life started in Okinawa, Japan. But it seems every path crosses here between the O'Hare and the Loop?"

Okami wasn't sure if she got it right. But the crowd applauded again in response to Okami's small, local knowledge.

"I have walked many steps now as a pilgrim of the way. I have carried the name of The White Wolf and learned many things with each step of the way, and I have failed to learn just as many things."

Okami did not talk down to anyone. She did not preach. She was more like a postcard from a friend on holiday.

"On any path we walk, we must stop and see where we are now. It is the only way we can take that next step. It is the only way we do not become lost."

Okami looked out to the crowd.

"I want to see where I am tonight. Here where many paths meet."

Okami turned to the stage and the area hidden behind it. She spoke with a clear voice.

"Jamie Fury!"

The crowd erupted before Okami had even finished saying the name. For the name of the Diamond Champion was one of the biggest of all times. Only bigger after her accomplishments at Madness.

"You have proven too many times that you are the compass of the path we walk together. And if I want to know where I am?"

Okami paused for a moment.

"Then I must stop walking and stand next to you."

BuZZ BeRmaN: "She's out of her Japanese mind."

Matt Goldman: "You may be right about that one. This isn't the first time Okami has made her intentions clear about wanting to face Fury. But after watching Jamie Fury at Madness? I can't think of anyone who would want to face her, let alone a lone wolf."

Okami continued again.

"I do not require your Championship, Fury-san. I do not require any advantage or trick. Let's meet here in Rosemont on level ground before we have to move on again."

Okami lowered her microphone to see who or what would happen next. Anything was possible in the XWA. The path had taught her that the hard way.

[Jamie Fury]

The fans waited for a few moments, and then the sound of The Herbaliser's "Twice Around", featuring the lyrical mastery of Jean Grae began to play.


They jump to their feet as Jamie Fury, still the Diamond Champion steps out onto the stage, a proud smile on her face as she held the coveted belt high in triumph.

Goldman: The legend of Jamie Fury continues on. I don't think anyone thought she was going to come out of Madness with the title intact, having to deal with both Channelle and her new "colleague" Karen Chao.

Buzz: That's the heart of a champion for you! You could tell from her words before the match that she was going to give her life even to keep that belt out of Channelle's hands. Mission accomplished!

Goldman: She deserves every bit of admiration from these fans I tell you...debates are pretty heated right now about her place among the upper echelon of women wrestlers, mainly one in particular.

Buzz: Oh yeah! Fury or Ashley Diamond? My god, that would be the first women's "dream match" in years! Think it could happen?

Goldman: Who knows? What I do know though is that's not on Jamie's mind right now, it's the woman in the ring who in my opinion is a star on the rise herself...

As she steps into the ring, a crewmember hands her a mic from outside as the fans shower her with praise. The name "FU-RY!" echoes through the Allstate Arena. She can't help but smile, but her focus remains not on the past...but the present.

Okami-san, it's funny you talk about roads we travel, because I can tell you for a fact that it's no easy road to get to where it is that I've gotten at this stage of my career. I've had to overcome plenty of mental and physical roadblocks to achieve the goals I set for myself...and here I stand as living proof that if you are true to your goals, you truly can achieve them!

As she paused for a moment, the cheering continues.

There was a point in time that I was thinking the same thing you were. Wondering where it was that I stood in the grand scheme of things. For me though, my test was about 2 tons of steel, glass and chains...

Goldman: The Devil's Playground...

For you though, the test is luckily only flesh and blood, but that doesn't make it any easier for either of us. Like all of these fans out here, I've seen you evolve into a legitimate competitor in the Diamond Division, Okami-san...and you've done it in a way so graceful and noble that even I'm a bit jealous. It would be an honor to step in the ring with you. You're a new challenge for me the same way you consider me to be a challenge for you, and all the same I'm really interested in seeing what I'm capable of against you.

[okami]

Matt Goldman: "Our Diamond Champion is a class act all the way. With all she has done in her career? She could've come out here and laughed in Okami's face. But instead she treats her like an equal, she hasn't forgotten where she came from."

BuZZ BeRmaN: "That's not the only thing she could have done to Okami's face. Just look at Fury, she's at the peak of human performance and potential. Okami is giving up, what? At least 50 pounds to the Champion."

Matt Goldman: "The White Wolf is just like any competitor. She is going to have to be at the top of her game. But after watching Okami in her first three matches? I think she may be the quickest woman on the entire roster, Overload or TakeDown. If she can push the pace, it could cause a whole lot of troubles for Fury."

"I remember the Devil's Playground too, Fury-san."

Okami shook her head with the memory of that path of true suffering.

"I entered it a child. I left it a humbled woman and I learned there was no end in what we do. You are a great Champion. But you do not build a wall or castle and defend the ground you stand on. You still wake-up in the morning and take a new step on the path."

Okami looked up at Jamie Fury.

"You are the best because of what you have done in this ring. The title. The training, and meeting impossible challenges with your head on the horizon. But I want you to know that your new steps are why I respect you."

The crowd cheered as Okami extended a hand towards Jamie Fury.

"I promise I will give you everything I have and everything I have learned in the XWA. I will use speed against your power and my Joshi Puro style against your other experiences."

There were determined eyes behind the mask, as her hand remained extended. There was no ego in her voice. She was not boasting at all. She simply meant,

"I will give you my best."

Matt Goldman: "See? XWA could use just a little more of this in my opinion, Buzz. Okami is showing the Diamond Champion all the respect she has earned instead of trying to run the Champion down to her level. If you ask me, Chanelle and her little gang of ankle vipers could learn a thing or two from this display."

[Jamie Fury]

Jamie reaches out and grasps Okami's hand, accepting the gesture with a nod.

I know...that's what everyone wants to see from both of us.

Another nod of respect is given to Okami as Jamie's theme begins to play once again. She steps through the ropes and begins to make her way backstage to prepare for the night.

Buzz: This is gonna be a real treat tonight, I just know it. These ladies are on a roll...it's gonna be one helluva show!

Goldman: You're right about that one partner. You already know both these women are gonna give it everything they have out there. I can't wait to see how this unfolds.

[okami]

... Later in the evening, matches come and go as TakeDown continues, until the cameras finally cut backstage again where they find the lovely Fabiola. Again.

Fabiola: "I'm standing backstage with a young woman who is facing a career altering match tonight as she goes up against the current Diamond Champion in a non-title bout. That young woman is of course The White Wolf, Okami.

The camera pulled back until Okami was in the frame, Fabiola turned her attention from the camera to her guest. Okami bowed her head in acknowledgment as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She would keep her blood moving because she was going to need all of it.

Fabiola: "Okami, I was surprised when you called out Jamie Fury tonight. Do you really think you have a chance against her?"

"I have learned if you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere. Now I have found the path with the greatest obstacle. I have watched many turned back and fail. But I am a pilgrim of the path. It is my duty to follow it. It is my duty to learn its ways."

Okami raised her eyes to Fabiola's

"I really do think the view will be amazing. I think Fury-san does too. That is why she answered my call."

Fabiola: "With so much size and power stacked against you, what is your game plan tonight?"

"Power in the body is a part of nature. It can be used against itself. We all know that. What Fury-san has is the power of heart. That can not be turned against itself. It is pure. If you try to turn it, you will lose. Fabiola, I will not try to turn her heart. I can only show her mine. I will give her and the fans of XWA all of my heart out there. There will be no doubt of that. I have nothing but respect for Fury-san and it is complete. That has been many of her opponents first step off of the path and their first mistake."

Fabiola: "A victory over Jamie Fury would be a huge step-"

But Okami raised her hand and shook her head, 'no'.

"A good traveller has no fixed plans, and is not intent on 'arriving'. Last year Alundra Jade taught me that there is no future. There is no past."

Okami's entrance music begins to play, and she closes her eyes.

"There is only the present and things it will teach us."

Okami opened her eyes.

"If we only open our eyes."

Okami walked away, and a moment later the crowd cheered as she broke through the curtain. The camera focused back on a smiling Fabiola.

Fabiola: "Jamie Fury and the fans of XWA are in for a, unique, encounter to say the least."