Kanzuki's are always winners...

That is a belief that my father has placed in me ever since I could walk. We had to win everything; we had to be the best at everything.

Ever since I learned martial arts, I have done my best to uphold this family tradition.

But there is one person who has soiled and tainted the reputation of the Kanzuki name...

Her name...is Sakura Kasugano...

It is at her hands that I have suffered my first, and only defeat.

In order to reclaim honor for my family, I must defeat her in combat.

*****

Tamagawa High...the school of my nemesis...Although I'm not a student here, I know where and when Sakura will be at what locations around the school. Let's just say that I have a special tracking system that allows me to track down Sakura.

Sakura gets out of school at 3:00, and about 3:10, Sakura and her best friend, Kei Chitose, will exit the school and walk towards their respective homes or go to get something to eat. Sometimes, Hinata will accompany them. Fortunately for me, I get out at 2:45. But I am not the least bit concerned about getting out of school on time. I could leave if I wanted to at any time...I just consider it a courtesy to the school on my part by waiting for "official" dismissal like everyone else.

I glance at the clock. 2:35. Only 10 more minutes to go until I am given my freedom for the day. And I can't wait for those 10 minutes to come, cause I am getting sick and tired of all the male population gawking at me like a piece of meat.

Normally, I wouldn't mind being the center of attention. I enjoy watching the boys trying to impress me. It is one of the few things that I enjoy about school. But today, I don't feel like being bothered by it. I just want to be left alone.

"Karin! psst...hey Karin!"

"hmm?"

"You look lovely today..."

I look at the boy seated next to me. His name is Aoi Mizuryu, son of legendary fisherman Murasaki Mizuryu. Out of all of the guys here at my school, Aoi is the only one who doesn't act like a total hentai everytime he sees me. It is because of this that he has sorta become my "gay best friend" that I tell my problems to, except for the fact that Aoi is not gay.

"Arigato."

I give Aoi a smile...a real smile, in fact, my first one for the day. I kinda feel sorry for Aoi. He is a really sweet guy and a gentleman, but none of the girls here pay him any mind. Those skanks are going to regret it one day. Once Aoi takes over his father's business, he'll be able to have any woman he wants. I've got to do something for Aoi.

"So...what's on your mind?

"Nothing."

RING!!

Great. School is out for the day. Time to put phase one of my plan into action.

I leave the classroom and go out the main doors of the school. My limo driver is already waiting for me, and as soon as I get in, I already have my place of destination ready.

"Tamagawa High. And step on it."

"As you wish, Miss Kanzuki."

Seconds later, I am already in front of Tamagawa High school waiting for Sakura and her classmates to evacuate the building. I look at my watch.

3:00 on the dot.

Good. Good timing.

Five minutes pass, and finally the moment that I have been waiting for arrives. I see Sakura leaving the school, but Kei and Hinata aren't with her.

That's even better then I could have expected. No back up to cause any distractions.

Right as Sakura is about to leave school grounds, I open the side door of my limo and step out. Immediately, I hear voices yelling "Karin Kanzuki!" everywhere, but I block all these voices out. There is only one voice that I want to hear right now, and its Sakura's.

"3:00. This Saturday. Midori Park. Don't be late."

"Ok."

I then get back into my limo and start to pull off from the school. Before I am almost out of sight, I see Kei and Hinata starting to crowd Sakura.

"What was that about, Sakura?"

"I'm not sure Kei, but you know how Karin is. She is determined to beat me..."

"Need any help, Sakura?"

"No thanks, Hinata. I'll manage. Thanks anyway."

"Ok. How about a soda?"

*****

"Hi-ya!"

I shout a karate chant as I hit my punching bag with one of my patented Gurenkens.

Today is Wednesday, so that only gives me a couple of days to get ready.

Sakura...I hope you're training hard for this fight...cause when we face each other on Saturday, I won't be holding back...

I'm going to beat you...

*pant*

Well that's enough practice for today. Even with Sakura in my head, I was still able to get in a decent hour of study.

I grab a towel from the towel rack that Ishitaka is holding and wipe my forehead.

"Are you ok, Miss Kanzuki?"

"Sure. Why do you ask?"

"Although it's not any of my business, you looked like you were distracted..."

"It's nothing, Ishitaka. I've just been tired. That's all. Thanks for your concern. What's for dinner?"

"Lemon fish topped with steamed broccoli served with white rice on the side and Caesar salad."

"Sounds good. I'll be at the table in 10 minutes. Now leave me."

"As you wish..."

*rumble*

Sounds like I'm hungry...

*****

The cook outdid himself tonight...dinner was exquisite.

Now for a little entertainment...

I grab my remote and flip through my 600+ channels available on satellite. After about 10 minutes, I turn the TV off and throw the remote on the bed.

Damn. You'd think with all these channels including ones from around the world, there would be something interesting on...

*knock*

"Who is it?"

"Ishitaka, Mistress Kanzuki."

"Come in."

Ishitaka opens my bedroom door and enters through it. In his right hand is a package.

"What's that?"

"The "special" item that you requested just arrived."

I get up off of my bed and take the item from Ishitaka.

"Thanks. Oh, and Ishitaka..."

"Yes?"

"Take tomorrow off."

"You are too kind."

"No, you are. Sometimes I fail to acknowledge how special you are to me."

I give Ishitaka a hug before he smiles and exits my room, closing the door with him.

Ishitaka really came through for me tonight; cause this item just might be what I need to handle my issues with Sakura.

I take the item out of the cardboard. A DVD is found inside.

Good. This is exactly what I wanted. This will indeed help me out with Sakura.

I'm almost tempted to give Ishitaka 2 days off instead of one...

I turn back on my TV and pop in my DVD. From the first thing that I see, I already know that the information that I will have obtained will be crucial with Sakura.

I can't help but smirk. Things are so going my way...

*****

It's finally Saturday. I have been waiting for this moment for so long. Today, my destiny with Sakura is about to take a new path...

I glance at my watch.

3:05 p.m.

Sakura is late...

Just as I anticipated...

In a way, I'm glad that Sakura is late. Strangely, her lack of punctuality is a bit of a turn on for me. It allows me to punish her...

"Karin!"

As if on cue, I see Sakura from a distance dashing towards the Midori Park entrance.

Sakura Kasugano...you never cease to amaze me...

Sakura is finally a couple of inches away from me. She is bent over trying to catch a breather.

"Sorry I'm late..."

"I hope you didn't use up all of your energy getting here, cause that little "jog" is nothing compared to what I'm going to do to you..."

I suddenly see Sakura go into battle mode as she jumps back and gets into a fighting stance.

"Let's go!"

That's the Sakura that I like to see. Vivacious, ambitious, and determined...

"As you wish." I say, also getting into battle mode. "But be warned." I caution. "I won't be so easy to beat this time."

"Here I come!"

Sakura dashes towards me and starts things off with a right cross headed towards my face. I see this and block it, as well as the follow up coming from her left fist.

Sakura continues to throw random punches at me.

She thinks she is going to beat me with an all out offense? Time to show her the error of her ways...

As Sakura is about to connect with a left jab to my chest, I cross my arms together and reverse her attack with my patented Yasha counter.

"Don't get predictable on me, Sakura! I won't be taken down by such "cheap" gimmicks!"

Sakura gets up off the ground and comes at me with a dropkick. I swerve to avoid this attack, and barely have time to block the next combination that Sakura throws at me.

Sakura is starting to get predictable again. Time to dish out another Yasha counter...

I anticipate Sakura going for another high attack since she has thrown ten in the last combination. I put my arms in Yasha stance, expecting the attack to come, but I am surprised when Sakura instead goes to the floor and drops me to the ground with a foot sweep.

"You should follow your own advice, Karin!"

I smirk as I get off the grass and brush some dirt off of my clothes.

"Ok. It's my turn now..."

I charge at Sakura with a Guren-ken. She is caught off guard by my opening attack, so I continue my chain with another Gurenken.

Now...how to end this...

I can go with a Hou-shou...or...I can go with a Ressen-chou...or...I can use a Daiso Kubarai, or...I'll just go with this option...

I decide to use a Mujinkyaku. My choice sends Sakura back several feet and puts her flat on her back.

That training must have paid off. I seem to have the upper hand...

"Not bad..." Sakura says as she gets up and wipes some blood from her lip. "But now it's time for me to take things up a level."

"Bring it on..."

Sakura does indeed "bring it". Sakura throws a random amount of punches and kicks. Since they are at varying heights as well, I can't figure out the right time to counter.

My arms are starting to get tired. If I don't do something fast, Sakura will break through my defense...

I attempt to block a low punch to the abdomen, but my reflexes are just a second too slow. And that's just the break that Sakura needs to let out her next attack...

"Shou-ou-ken!"

I never saw it coming. Sakura pummels me with several punches before sending me into the air with her version of the rising Dragon punch.

Although her version is not like Ken's or her idol Ryu's, it still packs quite the wallop...

I place my hand on my jaw. Ouch...that last punch really hurt...I'll be lucky if I can still eat solid foods after this...

I place my hand behind my back and use it to help me get off the floor. I stand and get back into a fighting stance.

We just eye each other, wondering who will make the next move. A slight wind has picked up, and I start to see Sakura's hair and white headband flow with it.

Sakura smirks before cupping her hands to the side of her waist.

This motion is so familiar...I've seen her idol use this very move several times.

Sakura is going to try to throw a Hadouken at me.

Well I'm ready...

Sakura thrusts her hands forward to release the blue orb of energy known to Shotokan fighters as the motion wave strike, or the Hadouken.

I roll to the side to avoid the fireball, but wait a sec...I never saw Sakura throw a fireball! She did the motion for one, but no energy came out. It is then that I realize that Sakura has mastered another one of Ryu's techniques that he uses to keep from becoming too predictable.

Sakura threw a Hadou no Kamae, or rather, a fake fireball...

And I fell for her bluff.

Shimatta...

Unfortunately, because I already reacted, I put myself in danger for a real attack. Sakura can put me in a throw, or a chokehold, or she can even use...

"Hadouken!"

This time, Sakura actually does throw a fireball at me. During my delay from rolling, I gave Sakura enough time to summon up a weak fireball. It really doesn't do any damage, but it does send my body flying into a tree back first, which hurts like hell.

That last attack took the breath out of me...no...I can't lose...I won't lose...not like this...not when I've come so far to bring honor back to my family...

I slowly get up and get into fighting stance. I'm going to have to end this soon, or else I'll lose.

The wind picks up even more, and it seems that the sky has gotten dark. Seconds later, drizzles of rain drip on us.

"You are a worthy opponent, Kasugano, but it's time to end this."

"As are you Kanzuki. Let the battle end with this next attack!"

Both Sakura and I charge up what little of our ki remains. When we have collected enough, we get ready to strike.

"Feel the power of Shotokan karate! Midare Zakura!"

Sakura comes at me with her stronger version of the Shououken. If she connects fully, then victory will be hers.

Unless...she falls victim to my attack...

"Never underestimate a Kanzuki! I'll defeat you with this attack! Kanzuki-Ryuu! Shinpikaibyaku!"

I go towards Sakura with several Gurenkens, Hou-Shous, and Ressen-Chous. Sakura will taste bitter defeat if she can't beat this attack...

We approach...

There can only be one winner...

Whoever strikes first will prevail...

This is it...

Pow! Bang! Boom! Crash!

Everything goes black...

*****

I open my eyes...

No. I don't believe it...

I lost...

Wait...

I look next to me, and my eyes see a fallen body.

Upon further inspection, I notice that this person has on a school uniform as well as a white headband around the forehead.

It's Sakura...and she is down for the count...

Just then, I see Sakura's eyes flutter open.

"Looks like it was a draw..."

"I guess so..."

*****

"Bye Karin."

"Bye Sakura."

The day was enjoyable, but now it's time for Sakura to go home. The limo driver has agreed to drop her off home.

"I'll call you."

"Ok."

I get back into my limo and have the limo driver take me home.

*****

I'm actually on my way to Tamagawa high right now, and when I get there, Sakura and I will act out one of our "scenes".

The limo driver finally pulls up to the school. I step out and cross my arms together.

"Sakura Kasugano! Bring your cherry blossom ass out to me this instant!"

As expected, I gathered up a crowd with my lewd behavior.

Let's make this game a little bit more fun...

I notice a boy to the side. I grab him by the shirt and position my other hand over his face in a fist.

"I'm only going to say this once. Bring Sakura Kasugano out to me right now, or else I'll use you as target practice."

"Ye-yes! As you wish, Karin!"

"That's queen to you..."

"Yes! Yes my queen!"

"Now go! And don't dawdle. I haven't got all day."

The boy immediately takes off for the school entrance in his quest to find Sakura. He almost falls down as he reaches the front door.

This is so amusing...

Seconds later, I see someone run out from the front door. But it is not Sakura.

"You think you're so tough, huh Kanzuki? Well leave Sakura alone! You aren't worth her time! Instead, face me! If you can beat me, then I'll let you face Sakura!"

I've got nothing against Hinata. In fact, I think that she is a really nice girl and a good friend to Sakura. However...I do have a reputation to keep...

And this game is really becoming interesting...

*yawn*

"I don't have time for you, Hinata. On top of that, you're not even in my league. But I "suppose" that I could fit 5 minutes into my busy schedule for you, cause that's all the time that I'll need to defeat the likes of you..."

I end my little speech with a smirk. And the effect that I was going for comes into play immediately.

Hinata is pissed off...

"Then prove it! Let's go!"

"No! Stay out of this Hinata! Leave her to me!"

I look towards the front doors and I see the same boy that I sent to find my rival as well as Sakura, who are both making their way towards me.

Now the game can really begin...

"Well, well. It took you long enough to get here. I've been bored playing around with your "sidekick" for the past 5 minutes..."

I can see that I am really pissing Hinata off. I have to fight not to laugh. This is all so funny...

"I didn't realize it was time to give you your ass whipping for the week, Karin. Well here it comes!"

Sakura comes through the crowd and eyes me face to face. Seconds later, we both get into fighting stances.

"Don't feel too bad after I humiliate you in front of your school, Sakura."

"I will not lose in front of my school. You will!"

Sakura and I now trade punches with each other. It's all for show though. We go fast enough to make it look real, but go a tad slower then usual to prevent actual injury.

Even though none of our attacks connect, the audience is eating it up. While the crowd is mostly pro-Sakura, I can hear a couple of chants for me.

Well the crowd has gotten their free show for the day. It's time for Sakura and I to wrap this up.

"I really want to beat your ass, Kasugano, but I don't want any innocent bystanders to be a liability. So why don't we continue this fight elsewhere?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"Midori Park."

"Let's go."

Sakura and I walk over to my limo and get in.

***

Sakura sits down close to me while I insert the DVD into my DVD player and press play on the remote. For a second, the screen is black, but it is then replaced with the main attraction.

TV: "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to this Street Fighting tournament! The event this year is sure to be one that you will not forget! Several fighters have entered this tournament in hopes of becoming the new "King of Street Fighters!"

"Let's skip to the important part."

I select the scene that is the main attraction contained on this DVD that just happened to be the main reason for me getting it in the first place.

TV: "Throughout the day, several fighters from around the globe have shown their fighting spirit. But in the end, only one has managed to survive the finals till the end to face the King of Muay Thai, Sagat. Not even Sagat's protégé Adon was able to defeat this warrior who hails from Japan…"

I glance at Sakura. She is almost in a trance by what she is seeing. I think she knows what is about to happen, but just wants to see the confirmation.

"Before we introduce our challenger, let's introduce the champion! From Thailand, the King of Street Fighters and a master of Muay Thai, Sagat!"

On the TV, Sagat enters his corner. He crosses his arms and waits for his opponent.

"And from Japan, the challenger, a rookie upstart who has managed to defeat all of his opponents, Ryu!"

While Sagat got much applause from the crowd, Ryu gets nothing but hisses and boos. It seems like the audience thought that Ryu was lucky or that his wins were all a fluke.

TV: "Ready! Begin!"

Sagat approaches Ryu and tries to use his size to intimidate the Shotokan warrior. Ryu isn't fazed however...

This footage on DVD was essential in my match with Sakura. By studying Ryu's older days, I was able to figure out some strategy to use against Sakura. Plus, I know that Sakura has always wanted to see the match that made her idol a legend, so I figured that I would kill two birds with one stone and obtain this footage. It was actually pretty easy for me to do. All I did was contact the arena where this fight took place and ask for a copy of this particular fight. Of course, the cost to get this footage that was originally on VHS transferred to a DVD would cost the average person a lot. But for a Kanzuki, money is no object.

I look over at Sakura. She hasn't moved an inch ever since I put the DVD in. This is a side that I've never really seen of Sakura before. While watching the TV, Sakura is peaceful, quiet, and in her own world. Sakura almost reminds me of her idol in this state.

I look back at the TV. The "scene" is just about to happen. Ryu is down on one knee, and it looks like he is about to lose. Sagat approaches Ryu to deliver the final blow, but has his guard down. Before Sagat can prepare to block, Ryu delivers the infamous move that would make him known for years to come...

"Sho-ryu-ken!"

Like the mighty dragon that he is named after, Ryu thrusts into the air with all of his might and strikes Sagat with everything he has. Sagat howls in agony as the flesh from his chest area is burned from the power of Ryu's fist.

Upon looking at Sakura, I see that her eyes are as big as saucers and her mouth is wide open.

I've seen this scene at least five times ever since I got this DVD from Ishitaka, but it still makes my heart stop to see it. I always knew that Ryu was powerful, but hearing it and seeing it really are two different things...

*****

Now to put in my final comments:

1) There are a lot of puns in this story. Take Aoi Mizuryu for example. "Aoi" is Japanese for blue, while his father's name "Murasaki" is Japanese for purple. Finally Aka, the maid of Karin, is Japanese for Red. Originally Murasaki had the name "Kon" (light blue), but I changed it cause it just didn't sound right.

2) Although technically Ryu is not in this story, there were a lot of puns regarding his name. Ryu means different things depending on how it is used. The main spelling "Ryu", means dragon. However, if you spell his name with an extra u so it looks like "Ryuu", then it means style (such as Kanzuki-Ryuu or Saikyo-Ryuu. Kanzuki and Strongest Style).

3) Mizu is Japanese for water. So when I added Mizu to ryu, I formed Mizuryu, which means, "water dragon". It was just something on my part.

4) As if you didn't know, Sakura is Japanese for "Cherry Blossom", those pink flowers that you seen in anime all the time. Well here is a little bit of history. Sakura's are the national flower of Japan and symbolize the coming of spring. During the 2nd week in April, cherry blossom festivals are held in Japan. People will come and sit under the trees and have picnics and even play games. If you live in or near Washington DC (like Maryland or Virginia), then you can see real Sakura's that were brought over from Japan down at the (I'm not quite sure) National Monument or something like that. About 3 years ago, I was given the opportunity to see real live sakura's, and it really is a beautiful sight.

5) For those of you not familiar with Karin's move selection, let me give you a quick guide. Her MujinKyaku is a dashing kick that knocks opponents into the air. Hou Shou is just a powerful palm strike. Ressen Chou is an elbow attack, and Ressen Ha is when she uses both arms. The Yasha counter though, is perhaps my favorite move to use with Karin. Karin crosses her arms and any physical attack (not projectiles though) that connects automatically gets reversed. Karin is one of my fave characters to play with other then the Shotokans.

So there you have it! This story is finished! Maybe next time, I might do an update of this through Sakura's eyes. But for right now, I need a rest!

Trutenor