[center] [img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/494317685505523714/716021659605270668/EmN5MKm.png[/img] [h3][color=fff79a]Kasugano Sakura[/color][/h3] Level 4: 16/40 Location: The Atomos. Talking to [@DracoLunaris] and [@Lugubrious] Word Count: 1,882 Points Gained: 3 New EXP Balance--- Level 4: 19/40 [/center] Junior asked questions about Sakura's world. [color=fff79a]"It-it's like prime ministers and presidents and stuff. In most places, anyway."[/color] She answered. But Bowser Junior said Mario, which confirmed for Sakura that he was from a video game. Or rather, there was a video game in her world that took elements from his world. Strangely she found the idea quite irrelevant. It didn't really change anything. Maybe she could bring it up later during a casual conversation. Sakura put her finger on her chin, thinking intensely at Junior's plan. [color=fff79a]"Okay, well, while we're fighting all the head honchos, they'll still have all their minions to help them. And what if the next biggest minion just takes their place? If we beat up the less big ones first we...that's, like, uh, good. Because, then they won't have any help. And we don't have to explain in the middle of the fight because-"[/color] She stopped for a moment. [color=fff79a]"You think I'm super likable? You really mean it? Thanks, [i]Junior-kun!"[/i][/color] She held one hand behind her back and pushed the toes of her left foot bashfully into the floor. [color=fff79a][i]"Hm hm hm,"[/i][/color] She laughed, smiling shyly. The conversation turned back onto the subject of spirits. Sakura deflated, blowing air through her lips. She even turned red as her own hypocrisy was pointed out. Blushing, she brought a hand up to her ears. [color=fff79a]"Well- that was- that was different!"[/color] She exclaimed. [color=fff79a]"I had to."[/color] Sakura relented though, frowning. [color=fff79a]"Okay, okay... no. It wasn't really different."[/color] She rubbed the back of her head, feeling foolish. [color=fff79a]"You guys are right. I guess a spirit would be the best way to go."[/color] Sakura pouted a little, crossing her arms. [color=fff79a]"J-just don't make it a habit. It feels weird. When I don't need to fight on the ocean anymore I'm gonna ask [i]Peach-san[/i] to turn me back into the normal me."[/color] She declared. [color=fff79a]"Also, [i]Rika-san[/i], yeah, call it off. Your muscles will be stronger later. But you're just hurting yourself now. This whole excercise thing was dumb. Junior's right. It'll take too long. I just- I just really like it. Sorry."[/color] Her cheeks were stinging red. Sakura plopped down on the bed next to Bella. [color=fff79a]"We could, uh, do it later. If you wanted."[/color] She added, not wanting to dampen Rika's spirits entirely. Ranger showed up and Sakura quieted down. Nodding, she looked out the curtained window as the big ship arrived. But her ears literally perked up as Ranger said two magic words. [color=fff79a]"Fight club? Huh? Fight club?"[/color] She stood up and then sat back down, restraining herself. [color=fff79a]"Well, I love fighting. But I'll probably hold off. I don't want to just leave you guys here while I go running away, y'know?" [/color] Sakura reasoned aloud. [color=fff79a]"Still, I'm just gonna take a look. I'll stay infront of the ship. Maybe find a spot to watch some street fights?"[/color] Sakura said hopefully. She walked out of the bay doors of the Atomos, waving to Rika and Bella, even though she wasn't really going anywhere. [color=fff79a]"Hey, look, [i]Junior-kun![/i] It's that clown and that blue girl from earlier!"[/color] She pointed to them. [color=fff79a]"Wow, look at that guy's long arms! That one looks really tough, and she- [i]EHHHHHH!?[/i]"[/color] Sakura cut herself off with an incredulous shout. [color=fff79a]"Th-th-th-th-th-"[/color] She slapped the sides of her heads. [color=fff79a]"That's Karin Kanzuki!"[/color] She crouched down, grabbed onto Junior's shoulder and began bouncing up and down. [color=fff79a]"That's Karin Kanzuki! I know her! That's my rival! That's my rival! I know her!"[/color] She smiled brightly, seeing a familiar face. [hider=A Memory] [center][img]https://images-ext-2.discordapp.net/external/FBM-723frSMeTjLdts0bFUx-Ay9ocbuongtw5XGnygI/%3Fwidth%3D500%26height%3D600/https/media.discordapp.net/attachments/494317685505523714/809620144003088414/pie.png[/img][/center] Above the usual din of your average middle school, 15 year old Kasugano Sakura's voice cut higher and stronger than the rest. She was consuming the paltry meal infront of her with a voracious appetite. Chitose Kei grimaced at this gruesome display, sliding a little farther away from her best friend. [color=fff79a][i]"Amnumunumnumnum"[/i][/color] Sakura 'said.' [color=fff79a]""[/color] ""Kei replied, picking at a piece of mystery meat with a pair of chopsticks. [color=fff79a]"" [/color]Sakura said between bites. She flexed her muscle, easily being the most muscular person in the entire school. It was something she had aged into over time. At that table her head looked big, her hands too large. One large portion of her hair stuck up significantly higher than the rest, in two unkempt diagonal spikes. An adorable person that could punch concrete into powder. "" Sakura had her head in her elbow, snoring. "" Kei chastised, shaking her friend awake. The girl blinked, shooting back up, before continuing to finish her meal. "" [color=fff79a]""[/color] "" Kei leaned in, one thick eyebrow raising questioningly. [color=fff79a]""[/color] She replied with a shrug. "" [color=fff79a]""[/color] Sakura shrugged even higher, like Kei was making a ludicrous demand of her. She slurped hanging a noodle into her lips. "" Kei's forehead donked onto the table. [color=fff79a]""[/color] Sakura placed a reassuring hand on her best friend's shoulder [color=fff79a]""[/color] Kei looked up and Sakura beamed. Kei scoffed with a smirk. "" She looked surprised over Sakura's shoulders. "" A bold, powerful, feminine voice silenced the entire cafeteria. Standing the open space was a girl with a striking, confident smile, full of gleaming white teeth. Her imposing stance and presence matched only by her intricate, beautiful golden hair. Around her finely manicured hands were two name brand fighting gloves. And behind her was 24 well dressed waiters in groups of 6, all of them wheeling tables into the open doors of the cafeteria. On each table was a silver dome covering a platter of food. "" The girl put a hand to her chest. A reverential hush fell over the cafeteria. "<...Am Karin Kanzuki.>" She said her name quieter than she had shouted Sakura's, but with an infinite amount more power. Karin Kanzuki was a force to be reckoned with, and had rolled over her humble middle school like a typhoon, engulfing it completely in divine light. ...She was only a little older than Sakura. She raised that same hand over her head, and snapped. Energy that looked like gold dust eminated from her finger tips. "" The waiters said in unison. Before Sakura a great feast was prepared. Lamb, lobster, the freshest seafood, the softest bread. Water taken directly from a nearby mountain spring. With expert timing and precision each meal was placed before her and unveiled with dramatic flair and timing. "" Karin Kanzuki said, waving a hand over the display. "<'Even unto your enemies, provide salt.' That is a proud custom of the Kanzuki house. Please, help yourself.>" She said with a superior smirk. [color=fff79a]""[/color] Sakura replied, reaching for a bowl of white rice. She recieved a smack on the back of the head from Kei for her trouble. "" Kei cried out, erupting from her seat. A forceful glare from Karin forced her back into sitting position. [color=fff79a]""[/color] Sakura rubbed the back of her head. "" Kei repeated, quieter this time. "" "" Sakura smiled confidently. "" Kei's mouth fell open, dumbfounded. That Sakura would ever dream of taking on the one and only- "" Karin Kanzuki said coolly. "" She rose an eyebrow, the elegant, condescending smile never leaving her face. "" She span on her heel. "" With that she and her 24 servants vanished, leaving Sakura to her feast. The other students watched this display and their eyes fell on Sakura. The brunette girl, however, was just watching Karin leave with a dumb smile on her face. [color=fff79a]"<'Even unto your enemies, provide salt.' So cool!>"[/color] "" Kei shouted. [/hider] Sakura clenched her fists. [color=fff79a]"Okay, okay. Calm down, [i]Junior-kun,[/i] calm down! I definitely have to meet up with Karin! Oh, man, I hope she doesn't make fun of my cat ears. Does she know about Galeem? No, she doesn't!"[/color] She touched her ears, her tail curling. [color=fff79a]"The mighty Karin Kanzuki. Not even she could escape Galeem's power. She's gonna be pissed about that when she finds out."[/color] Sakura said to Junior. [color=fff79a]"Look, that's my friend! Do you see her? She's the one in red. With that beautiful blonde hair and condescending aura?"[/color] She looked anxiously over her shoulder to Bella, Rika, and Ranger in the room. She sprinted at top speed, skidding to a stop infront of the door. Breathless with a wide grin on her face, she peeked her head into the room. [color=fff79a]"I just recognized one of my friends on that boat! I have to challenge her to a street fight and win! Please? I'll stay in view of the windows! Actually, please watch our fight, it'll be really cool!"[/color] Sakura said. [color=fff79a]"Oh, man..."[/color] She laughed. [color=fff79a]"Only one small problem. I lost some of my physical strength when Arashio lended me her power. My friend, Karin Kanzuki, is already one of the toughest people I know. It'll basically be the equivalent of me falling behind on my training for months! And knowing her, she hasn't stopped training for a single second. Even in this world she's spent her time fighting, while I was off looking for Ryu-san!"[/color] She slapped her forehead. [color=fff79a]"B-but,"[/color] She pointed at the three of them. [color=fff79a]"If you three plus Junior cheer me on, I can still win anyway!"[/color] She clenched her fists excitedly.