Board Thread:What Would You Do?/@comment-27950421-20181027211716/@comment-28718853-20190213191929

"This is quite an operation you got here," I tell my older sister Sheila.

"Like I said, gotta weed out the weak from the strong.  Someone's gotta watch out for you while I'm away," Sheila replies.

I chuckle and rub the back of my head. "I appreciate the thought, but..." my suggestion is interrupted by the rough sounds of fighting outside.

Everyone turns to the doorway.

"What the hell is going on out there?" Sheila growls, anger rising within her. She gestures to two of the Werewolves by her side and orders, "You two, go check it out."

The two Werewolves nod and head out front. Seconds later one of them crashes through the wall into the living room unconscious. Through the hole I could see many of the mamono who were formerly lined up lying on the lawn down for the count. The other Werewolf and the Red Oni are duking it out with a Jinko whose fur is as white as snow and one I recognize immediately.

Takako Murakami. An experienced martial artist who frequents her uncle's dojo and whose father used to be a high-ranking member of the Yakuza. A tattoo of a tiger head covers her entire back.

She turns to us and smiles with a wave.

Sheila rolls her eyes in annoyance and tells her other Werewolf assistant, "Deal with this kitty please?"

The Werewolf nods and thunders toward Takako. Several swift and precise kicks from the Jinko take down the last of Sheila's bodyguards.

Takako once again smiles at us and greets us with, "Konnichiwa!"

Sheila growls and asks Takako, "You better have a good reason for interrupting my business."

"I didn't feel like waiting in line," Takako replies with an innocent shrug.

"Still, don't you know it's rude to beat up those who waited in line like good little ladies?" Sheila asks.

"What?  You don't think I saved you plenty of time here?" Takako asks as she points a claw at me and adds, "I know you're heading off to college soon, and your younger brother will be left exposed while he ventures through high school.  I wish to be the one that protects him and cares for him during those vital years of education."

Sheila lets out a huff and says, "And why should I trust you with him?"

Takako gestures to the throng of downed mamono around her and says, "Did I not prove myself by defeating my competition?  Do I have to duel with more members of your regime before I can have his heart.  I still have lots of breath in me."

Sheila's eyes seared brightly at her group being called a regime. She never saw it that way. Well...at least she didn't.

She points a claw at Takako and threatens, "You better watch it kitten, or I'll make you regret ever pissing me off."

Takako makes a mock gasp and says, "Uh oh, did I strike a nerve you infernal doggy?"

"I'm warning you you striped bitch!" Sheila snarls as more of her claws become exposed toward Takako, who just can't seem to rid herself of her taunting grin.

"I'm putting an end to your little dictatorship Sheila," Takako says.

Sheila huffs and asks, "Why should I trust my little bro with someone whose father used to be in the mafia?"

Takako chuckles, seeming unhurt by Sheila's question and replies, "Compare me to my father will you?  My father rightfully serves his time in prison.  He's promised me that he will change when he's released, and I believe he will.  He understands his mistakes.  Do you?"

"Do you understand the mistake you're making right now?" Sheila asks.

I glance between both Sheila and Takako, feeling the tension in the air rising.

Takako glances in my direction and says, "Justin knows me quite well.  Don't you sweetie?"

I can feel the burning glare of Sheila's gaze down the side of my neck as I respond, "Y-yes, most days after school I would head over to the local pizza place, passing the dojo along the way.  Everytime I pass that building I see her through the window, training herself.  Sometimes alone, sometimes with others."

A fearful grin forms on my face as I reply, "She's actually a very friendly person compared to most Jinkos that go to my school."

Sheila places a claw on her chin and says, "I see."

She then folds her arms and continues, "That still doesn't qualify you to be my brother's girlfriend though."

Takako's bright smile is unwavering in the face of Sheila's virulent insults that would have broken down any other woman. She instead holds her claw out toward Sheila and beckons for her to come to her.

"Perhaps a duel then?  One-on-one.  Only our unarmed skill," the Jinko recommends.

Sheila produces an arrogant smirk and replies, "I can do that.  I win and you piss off and never let my bro or me see your ugly face again."

I can only gulp as Sheila keeps speaking, "If you somehow beat me then you can be Justin's protector and girlfriend as he goes through high school."

"Those are fair conditions," Takako responds as she looks around at the floored mamono that she defeated herself, "But not here though.  I don't want to disturb this neighborhood's peace more than I already have."

"I hear you," says Sheila.

She counts off of her claws and says, "Newyand Cage, 10 P.M.  Show up on time or it's off."

"I won't be late.  That is a promise," Takako assures her opponent as she presses her fist against her chest, a sign that she will keep her promise.

Sheila chuckles and says, "I can't wait to show you how badly you messed up."

"And I'm very eager to end your rule of the school," Takako responds in return.

I can only stay silent as Sheila moves back into the house and Takako strolls down the street. I soon follow after Sheila where I find her seated back at her table stacking some papers. She shoots me a look and asks, "Justin, do I really run a regime here?"

"Uhhh..." I say no more as I speed past her and proceed upstairs to my room.

No knock comes at my door, which is a surprise. Seems that she's more concerned with teaching Takako a lesson in dominance rather than bugging her younger brother. I take this moment of respite to ponder about the upcoming match between the two titans and the hole in the wall. It's going to be a big night tonight.

Night comes and I'm seated on a bench inside the Newyand Cage which houses a basketball court. Many tough, burly mamono line the interior of the cage yelling and cheering as Sheila and Takako stand face-to-face in the center of the arena. Sheila has an expression of fierce determination while Takako's face is equally resolute, both ladies wanting to prove they're better than the other. Takako fighting to be my guardian and boyfriend while Sheila fights to make Takako know her place.

A Minotaur steps in between the two opponents and announces to the crowd, "Alright ladies!  This is a Last Lady Standing match!  One of these fighters must incapacitate her opponent and leave her on the floor for a full ten seconds!  If one of these ladies manages to down the other and she in unable to get up in ten seconds, the one still standing wins!  Are you ready!?"

The mamono roar with excitement, most of it directed toward Sheila for her authoritative nature. I remain a silent spectator.

The Minotaur exchanges glances with Sheila and Takako before stepping back, allowing the match to begin.

Sheila roars and leaps at Takako for a strike, who rolls to the side. Takako attempts to counter with a swipe to Sheila's back, but Sheila is quick enough to block it with her arm. Takako proceeds to perform a front flip and tries to land a leg drop on Sheila's head, but Sheila drops to the side, evading the attack entirely.

The Hellhound rises with her embers burning brighter than before. She goes for a slash across Takako's torso, but the Jinko sidesteps the offensive and counters with a kick to Sheila's lower leg, causing her to lose her balance and fall on her butt.

The crowd coos at Sheila's first down, a few members impressed with Takako's skill thus far.

Sheila gets up off the blacktop in a rage and charges at Takako in a fury.

The Hellhound unleashes a furious assault on Takako with her claws, but Takako is dodging her opponent's attacks like a professional. The infernal slashing continues for a couple more seconds until Sheila selects an uppercut that Takako avoids and retaliates by slamming her knee into Sheila's torso.

Sheila stumbles back from the blow and grits her teeth. So far she was unable to land a punch on the tiger beast woman, and I can tell that it's really starting to anger her.

"Mess her up Sheila!" a Werewolf in the audience shouts.

Sheila rushes at Takako and throws a punch, but she halts it midway. Takako falls for the fake out and backpedals, allowing Sheila to grab her wrist and jerk her into her. The Hellhound then proceeds to pummel Takako on her head. Sheila continues her relentless assault until Takako reacts by smashing the Hellhound's leg with her foot, causing her to slip onto one knee. Takako follows up by delivering a powerful strike to Sheila's head with her fist proceeded by a second kick to her skull which leads to Sheila releasing the Jinko.

Takako steps back as Sheila gets up and shakes off the daze.

"You're good, but I'm just getting start-oof!" Sheila's speech is interrupted by Takako's flurry of swipes and kicks that force her to back away. Sheila struggles to defend herself, but it's rather sloppy compared to Takako's swift and precise strikes. Takako finishes her combo with a roundhouse kick to the head, causing Sheila to drop onto the blacktop sprawled out.

"Holy crap!" an Anubis gasps as the Minotaur walks over to the downed Hellhound and begins the countdown.

"One!  Two!  Three!  Four!  Five!"

Sheila rises to her feet and wipes the slobber from her mouth. The audience roars and Sheila shakes her head at Takako. I can hear her growl, "No way am I gonna lose to a Yakuza girl!"

She stomps toward Takako and goes for a right hook. Takako ducks under the strike and lands a jab straight in Sheila's lower chest. Sheila is undeterred, and delivers a powerful uppercut which knocks Takako backwards onto the ground. Everyone cheers for Sheila as Takako jumps back up and breaks into a cartwheel toward Sheila, who catches Takako's legs and lifts her up before slamming her back down.

Sheila then jumps onto Takako and thrusts punch after punch into the Jinko's face.

I actually get quite nervous when Sheila ends her assault and gets up.

Takako doesn't appear to be moving, so the Minotaur along with the audience begin the countdown.

"One!  Two!  Three!  Four!  Five!  Six!"

Takako jumps to her feet and grins at Sheila. She glances to the side and spits onto the blacktop before returning her focus to Sheila who taunts, "You can still pussy out if you want!"

"Afraid?" Takako inquires, her grin growing wider.

Sheila scoffs and replies, "In your dreams kitty!"

The two continue their intense brawl. Both of their fighting styles are as clear as day. Takako's is disciplined and trained while Sheila's is more of an animalistic ferocity, both deadly in their own way.

Blows are traded and blocked. Grapples are either turned into slams or broken. Both combatants get more and more bruised as their fight continues much to the excitement of the crowd who is still mostly cheering for Sheila though several are starting to back Takako.

At one point Takako catches a sharp elbow from Sheila to her face and spirals onto the court face down.

With no movement present the countdown starts and I can feel my skin teeming with sweat. The number reaches five and Takako is still motionless. Sheila has a satisfied grin as the count ticks upwards and she raises her fists in victory.

All seems to be over when at nine the Jinko rises, shocking the crowd. Sheila is equally stunned as she stares at her opponent, who is still grinning despite the beating she endured.

I can't hide my smile and allow it to glimmer within the spectators.

"H-how!?" Sheila wonders aloud.

Takako doesn't answer. She runs forward and leaps into the air. Her powerful foot smashes into Sheila's face and it knocks her away several feet before she settles on the blacktop, clearly out cold.

The Minotaur starts the countdown, and I'm half expecting Sheila to get back up, but she doesn't. The number reaches ten, and many of the audience members cheer while the rest stand in astonished silence at what they had just witnessed. The big dog, the head honcho, the alpha, defeated.

The bovine referee holds up one of Takako's arms to signify her victory and I can barely contain myself as I run out onto the court and embrace the Jinko in a hug. Takako smiles and returns the hug, giving me an even tighter affection.

There are whoops from the crowd as Takako and I hug. Out of the corner of my eye I notice Sheila stirring and looking up at us silently.

I nudge Takako and we make our way over to Sheila to help her up. She groans in pain as we pull the beaten Hellhound to her feet and the noises of the crowd subside.

Sheila exchanges glances between me and Takako. I don't have a clue what she's thinking, but she soon smirks and holds her paw out toward the Jinko saying, "You keep my little brother safe through high school, you hear?"

Takako takes Sheila's paw in her own and shakes it replying, "You have my word."

The audience cheers as Sheila wraps her arms around both of us in a hug and whispers in my ear, "And you be on your best behavior. High school is no joke."

I nod and whisper, "Got it sis!"

Just then, a Harpy flies in yelling, "Cops are coming! Cops are coming!"

"Alright everyone, time to wrap it up!" Sheila announces to the crowd who begin to file out of the cage.

Takako and I hold hands with warm, loving smiles and leave the cage together, eager to start our new relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend.

After Sheila went off to college the intense atmosphere that once held the student body hostage seemed to have lightened up. Several mamono who have been scared of Sheila before no longer have that fear since she no longer attends high school. This means that some of them make me their target, but Takako has done well in keeping me safe from these aggressors.

Sheila and I keep in touch via e-mail. Looks like she's starting up a new gan-err I mean club in college to bring mamono together. Good for her.

Takako sometimes takes me down to the dojo to teach me a few basic martial arts techniques that I can use in self-defense should a mamono try to jump me, but I doubt that will be of much help against some of the more stronger mamono that attend my school.

Still, our relationship has continued to build throughout my freshman year of high school. I maintain a wary eye out for Takako's mating season though. Demon Lord knows when that's going to happen and I'd rather not be caught unprepared.