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...