Sponge baths and Pretty Nurses (Kazuki)

[Victoria Alexander]

((You can skip to the end if you’d like. Since Vic don’t have special connections anymore, had to show how she found out.))

Victoria sat silently at her desk.

“I hate Mondays.”

She expressed distastefully into her cup of tea that she held inches away from her lips. She had paperwork. Yes, lovely paperwork that could not be done on their own. It would be lovely if they would fill themselves out. Nasty, icky paperwork.

Putting down her cup she looked a the clock on her monitor screen. 3:47PM. The whole day was slow. Now knowing that she would be getting off soon time seemed to mock her. She would look at the clock watching it, waiting for it to change. A minute seemed like five and it was driving her nuts.

Looking over towards her Co-workers desk, it sat empty. He was out and about. No doubt staying away from his paperwork as well. Taking a breath in Victoria let it out before standing up.

“Mrs. Holly please put any messages on my desk. I’m done for the day.”

Victoria shuffled some papers and put them in her bag before walking out of her office. Passing both secretaries she barely glanced at Shuya’s but smiled towards hers as she left.

Flagging down a taxi Victoria told herself she needed to invest in some sort of transportation, course that would lead her into having to do a driving test but that didn’t bother her much. Having to take a taxi everywhere she goes was starting to get tiresome.

Instructing the driver to go further into town, she decided to do some shopping instead of going strait home.

~~~~ A little time later ~~~~

Walking down the street with a small bag filled with fruit in her hands, Victoria plopped a green grape into her mouth as she looked through store windows debating whether or not if she was going to go inside. She liked to go shopping. Who didn’t. She just didn’t like spending money that she was trying to save. Looking across the street Victoria’s eyes looking upon Legion. Kazuki’s club.

‘Its been a while since I’ve talked to him. I should drop by and say hi.’

Victoria watched the traffic before crossing over. The club seemed a little dead as she entered. Course it wasn’t that late yet but she knew in an hour it should be hopping. Walking over to the bar. She leaned slightly on it looking down at the bar keeper who was cleaning glasses on the other end. Looking around again she didn’t see Taiku or Rene. They probably didn’t come in till later. Turning her attention back towards the barkeep she spoke up cheerfully.

“Hi, can you tell me if Taiku is in?”

“Sorry lady your not privileged to that information.”

Victoria couldn’t help but be disgusted by his retort making her rather cheerful mood sour. It wasn’t like she was a dept collector or some person trying to sell the owner something.

“Well Im a friend just wanting to say hello and if you still say no. I’ll just march right back there myself to find him. You can save yourself the trouble I can tell you that right now.”

The barkeep barely looked at her. Victoria mused as the guy probably underestimated her size in thinking she was just a female with nothing more than a mouth on her.

“Suit yourself.”

Victoria said slyly as she started walking away from the bar and towards the back. The same path she took back on Valentines day. She could hear the barkeep shuffle with the glasses and start to make his way towards her. Victoria shook her head in knowing that what was going to happen next was going to make the barkeep regret his next move.

It was simple. The usual grab of the arm that would swing Victoria towards the good sized man. Course he wouldn’t be expecting the heel of her boot to expel the wind from his chest as it connected. But the blow made him take a step back letting go of her looking rather bewildered.

“I told you.”

She said with the shrug of the shoulders as she again turned to make her way back to the office.

“Look lady he’s not back there. He was taken to the hospital and haven’t heard from him.”

Victoria turned looking rather peeved at the barkeep who was holding his chest, she wanted to hit him even more since the damned ape wasted her time.

“You could have just told me that in the first place. What happened. Where was he taken to.”

She spoke demandingly. Where was Rene at least she got more of a response even if the woman hated her. The barkeep just stood there not knowing the answers. He was merely to do his job and not ask questions.

“Bastard.”

Victoria muttered to herself as she turned and made her way out.

~~~~~~ A little more time later ~~~~~~

“So when are you busting out?”

The familiar voice swept into the room mixing in with the sounds of the monitors and different beeps from the machinery. Filling in so the silence wouldn’t be Kazuki’s only company. It was dark in the room. The curtains blocking out the early evening light.

Victoria stood leaning against the doorway. Looking towards the bed. Her eyes moving over the man whose life once lit up rooms who made things seem brighter, better. Whose vibrance seemed now lost in the dull room that was alike the one she had once occupied herself not so long ago. The doctors told her he would be sleeping. She made a point that she would leave if Taiku wanted her to.

“Im sure I can start distracting the nurses while you sneak out the back. Unless your enjoying the food and pampering too much. Have those pretty nurses started to give you sponge baths yet?”

She knew he wasn’t going anywhere but she at least hoped her dull sense of humor would at least bring somewhat of a smile to his face. Victoria watched as he looked around as if expecting someone else to be in the room.

“Before you ask. I relieved your company for a shower and some sleep. I told her I would watch over you until she gets back.”

By company Victoria of course meant Kira. She knew they were lovers. It wasn’t hard to see when she first laid eyes on Kira some months ago. Kira wore her emotions on her sleeve so it wasn’t that hard to figure out. In truth Kazuki couldn’t have done any better. But if she ever broke his heart surely Victoria would be on the prowl. Even thou their relationship was in the past she still didn’t want to see him hurt.

Moving into the room, Victoria slid the chair closer to the bed as she took a seat placing a bag onto her lap.

“So how goes it and don’t you lie. I can always tell when your lying.”

Victoria smiled as she looked down into Kazuki’s rather pale face.

[Kazuki Akimoto]

Blinking at the person standing in the doorway, his silence held long enough to prevent him giving a rather sharp response to her before she pointed out that she had already spoken with Kira, giving her a reprieve, so to speak. That, he supposed, wasn't entirely a bad thing, and for that, he'd stay his initial repose.

"I...see. Thanks, I guess. She could use some rest, after the last few days..."

His eyes followed her as she came into the room properly and took up a seat. Shifting himself to sit up properly, something that was much easier now than it had been the day he'd been initially admitted, he turned his attention more acutely toward Victoria as she asked how he was. Shrugging loosely, the drip now gone and as such, his arm no longer restrained as he'd had to keep it before, he gave a quiet sigh.

"It just goes, I suppose. I'm healing up just fine, as much as I'll be able to in any regard, though I'm pretty much vetoed on drinking now. That's more of a kick in the ass than anything else, frankly."

Coughing quietly behind his hand, he continued on, "Still, I've come back from worse. You and I both know that. This is just another stupid little setback, that's all. Give it a week and I'll be back in the gym."

The smirk on his face was slightly strained. Talk as he might, he still felt the effects of what had happened, on top of the pills he was now stuck having to take for the time being, and felt, let alone looked, a shadow of his former glory. Intent on moving the subject by, however, he changed the topic quickly.

"So, how did you find out?"

[Victoria Alexander]

((ooc- Sorry for delay went camping and then been busy making costume for midi fair..Arr ))

"Worse, I would use a different word than worse but all the same you always found a way to come back from anything. Thou the idea of you going back to the gym so quickly may have Miss. Kira putting her foot down. You might have to give up being stubborn and bull headed for more than just two weeks."

Victoria turned her eyes towards the ceiling as Kazuki questioned her how she found out. She really didn't want to tell him that she had just assulted one of his employees but thinking it over there was no other way to explain how she knew where he was. She, after all, had no contacts, no communication with any Varron students unless, ofcourse they would seek her out. In the end she decided to see if she could let it slide without him giving her a glare making her feel guilty for knocking the wind out of the dumb brute.

"It doesn't really matter how I found out. You should be happy I’m here. A savior with past experience, to your sanity."

She smiled innocently as she untied the bag on her lap and opened it up.

"I bring real food to tingle your tastebuds. Some magazines with cars and half naked women laying on them to tingle your mind. And a teddybear because I thought it was cute and I donno. Figured it would help liven this place up a little. I know how boring this place can be."

Her sentance fell short. Victoria hated hospitials. That disinfectant smell that tingled your nose and the bland hospitial walls always made her feel like she was trapped back in the room she was in over two years ago. Knowing you weren’t strong enough to escape made you want to get out even faster.

Reaching into the bag she pulled out a small teddy bear. It sported a leather jacket holding a square of felt that read “Get Well Soon.”

“Sorry this is as manly as they get. I was eyeing the one with a tutu but I guess your just stuck with the bad-ass bear in leather.”

Victoria laughed more to herself as she reached in and pulled out two round containers and two square ones.

“You have your choice or rather you can eat it all if you want. There is chicken broth or Wedding. I love the Wedding soup its to die for. Bob, the guy that was in the restaurant that I was working in for a while makes it. He’s probably the best in the city. I wasn’t sure if you were able to eat solid so that’s why its just broth and not noodle soup. I have a sandwich and some jello. The jello they serve in any hospital is always unidentifiable and I don’t know if you can put a fork in it without it breaking. Not to mention I made the jello and tried it and Im not dead yet so its edible.”

She smirked as she placed the foods on the tray that was just beside her. Preparing each food item on the tray so it was easily reachable for Kazuki. Pulling out a fork and some napkins.

“Sorry no steak or potatoes or anything remotely elegant.”

[Kazuki Akimoto]

"Perhaps, I suppose. Though considering it'll probably help with my recovery, I'll likely have a chance at swaying her in that regard. After all, my health is paramount, no?"

Raising an eyebrow at that, he held a light smirk on his lips for a moment before ignoring her unwillingness to answer just -how- she'd found out about him. As she'd said, it didn't matter in the grand scheme of things, and in the oddest way, he was happy for the company and happy to know that Kira would be given a chance to rest up, even if only for a little while. Victorias mention of food caused him to turn his head more fully toward her, suddenly quite aware of just how hungry he actually was. His appetite over the last few days had been almost nil due to the medications the doctors had put him on, and he'd turned down food for most of it with only small breaks for something light.

His last day on that medication was yesterday, and whilst he'd woken without any discernable hunger kicking in, it seemed that it was coming back with attitude. Eyeing the bag, he watched calmly, noting what else she said she'd brought before blinking.

'A teddybear? What am I, six?'

Rolling his eyes a moment at the notion, he passed it by leading off from her trailed sentence, shrugging a moment. "The sooner out the better, so I never really notice the lack of mental stimulation. If the worst came to it, I'd discharge myself first. Weak, ill, whatever. It'll take some big fucking orderlies to stop me in my tracks..."

Smiling, he watched her expression to see that she mentally stepped away from the trail of thought she was likely going down. He wasn't stupid, and he knew her distaste for hospitals considering her own experiences, as such if he could knock her off that particular tangent then all the better for everyone involved. In any regard, she'd pull the bear out the bag in a moment, and he would glance at it with a bemused expression.

"What on earth is that thing? That's not just a teddy bear, that's a gay-biker teddy bear! I'm almost wondering if the tutu might have worked out better!"

He had to stifle a moments laughter at it, smiling widely at the small stuffed toy. His distaste for stuffed animals was hardly hidden, but he couldn't deny that the thought had cheered him up a little, if nothing more. Shaking his head, he held it up and looked it over, an eyebrow raised before he set it down on the bedside table. What followed, however, got his attention quite firmly. The tupperware, after its explanation of what held what, had his eyes peering between them in turn with a pondering thought.

"Steak and potatoes doesn't always win out. Sometimes a simple staple will do far more good, and even I'm known for enjoying instant ramen if I'm lazy...Anyway, I'm good for eating solids, so I'll go for some of that broth with the sandwich....Never had 'wedding' soup, though. What's in it?"

He leaned over to the tray and picked up the sandwich, tearing a piece off of it and dipping it in the broth before popping the full morsel in his mouth and eating it quickly. Meanwhile, he listened for her explanation on what the other soup was meant to be. True to his word, he had no idea what it was and was genuinely curious.

[Victoria Alexander]

"Never had wedding soup. You non-American."

Victoria laughed with amusement as she teased him lightly.

"Its not too pretty looking at first but it kinda reminds you of chicken noodle except its got, well its got chicken it in and little tiny balls of noodles with some greens, and meatballs, its really good. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over it and with some crackers and some bread and you got the works. Best soup you'll ever have. Chicken noodle is child’s play after you had some."

She opened the container, then opened a small pack of crackers putting them beside it for his easy reach. When she was done she just sat back hitching her arm on the armrest of the chair putting her chin into her hand.

"I think the whole time I was in the hospital everyone fed me soup. I think I got so sick of chicken noodle Spyder actually made me try it. I don’t know why they call it wedding soup never really looked into it but it was something different and pleasantly good. I prefer the Parmesan Garlic croutons personally over crackers."

She smiled slightly as he seemed to examine it. Sure it was never pretty looking with the dark leaves of romaine and kale all torn to bite size pieces but looks were always deceiving when it came to this soup.

“So...Im not sure if you heard or not. But I actually made it on staff over at Hircine. It was more luck than anything. A Principle at that. Course its more like Co Principle since Im sharing my office with someone else. Maybe you might remember him from Varron Shuya Katsumoto?”

Victoria adjusted herself in the chair, straitening and crossing one leg over the other.

“Guess it was my personality that won them over on the school board. At least this time I won’t have someone hoovering over me controlling me like a puppet. I know it will be difficult repairing some of the damage caused by Mr. Macmillian. But Im sure as the saying goes, time heals all wounds.”

Victoria was fond of that statement. In her view it was true that time did heal all wounds. In her short lived life there were many wounds that haunted her but slowly did they heal. Scars left behind would be a reminder but she would bare no pain from them anymore.

[Kazuki Akimoto]

Perking an eyebrow at her remark, he shot a light smirk before quipping quickly.

"Do bear in mind I've only been in this country for seven years, far as can be said, that still makes me pretty un-American....Of course, I'll let that one slide, this time."

Holding the smile as she explained the basic composition of the soup, he found himself interested quickly. Admittedly, it did look quite unappetising, but the stuff that went together to make it didn't sound bad at all...Setting down the sandwich, he scooped a little of the other soup up and tasted it, holding the taste in his mouth a moment to find his opinion.

Nodding, he tore off another piece of the sandwich before dipping it into the other broth.

"Okay, point made. That's some good stuff...."

Grinning, he ate the bite of sandwich as she explained her own experiences with Wedding soup, and the name now posed a curiosity to him. He'd have to look up on that, see what he could find out in due course. Sidetracking, she began to explain her taking up of the Principal position at Hircine. Of course, he knew about that already thanks to Reiko, who'd been quick to point out the fact they had not only one Principal, but that she'd come across one of them whilst shopping with Kira a while ago. He gave a nod before responding, setting down the bowl.

"Actually, I had heard. Reiko filled me in on that when you and Shuya did your introductory speeches, and I'm quite familiar with him."

Of course, he neglected to specify that his familiarity with Katsumoto wasn't exactly the most amicable, and the pair were never likely to be on each others Christmas card lists. However, that was irrelevant. So long as Hircine didn't end up going down the proverbial creek again, they could put a damned monkey in charge of the school for all he cared. The Principals rarely could do much in high schools these days other than handle administrative affairs, the students had, and likely now always would, governed themselves.

Hircine, of course, had Kyukaku for that at the moment as well. Kazuki would hide no small portion of pride at that either, considering his memories of the young man could stem back so far as to remember the first time he'd knocked the kid around in a fight. Effortless, at the time, but now....

Well, he was just glad that there was an able person taking the helm there.

"Probably always a good thing, I'd imagine. I'd be careful how you go about things there, though. The kids are going to be hostile to anyone taking over that role at first, but I believe you'd be able to do a pretty good job of it, so long as you can keep a leash on Shuya. He's not the worst of people, but for what I know of him, it'd be worth your while keeping an eye out."

[Victoria Alexander]

"No worries about him. Shuya's not as sly as he may think he is, we do after all share an office so its not hard to keep taps on him now and again. Although he is becoming more and more of a shifty character as he settles into his new chair. I believe he has something up his sleeve, that no doubt he wouldn't want me to know. "

Victoria sort of shrugged her shoulders while she said her next statement.

"Course I always think the best or rather in my cause the worst in people. I've seen my fair share and have no doubt, judged people poorly when it comes to what they have in mind. With my background who wouldn’t."

She couldn’t help but smirk when she remembered the first time she looked at Kazuki when he was just a new student at Varron. It was strange but she thought the worst of him too at that time. Crazy to think now that they both survived their relationship for so long.

Victoria went silent letting Kazuki have a chance to eat the soup she had provided. It made her glad that he was enjoying it. As some silent time had passed Victoria spoke up to help break the silence.

“I was thinking of going back to New York on a weekend. I’ve never flown before quite terrified about it, but with me having to be back at work on Monday driving was surely out of the question. Elizabeth has been chewing my ear off to come and visit. She's been trying to show me the new digs and introduce me to some sponsors as well. It seems ever since your unknowingly contribution they've been put on the map as a real charity. They will be able to help a lot more runaways as well as gaining new volunteers. I think she even wants to open a daycare. I don’t know what she’s going to do with all the kids running around but I think its her way of being happy and filling complete."

Her voice seemed to fade off her rambling, Victoria didn't know why she was telling Kazuki that but she felt the sense of pride when she told it. She was proud of her misfit family and she really didn't have anyone else to tell it to.

"So.. how’s the club doing?"

[Kazuki Akimoto]

"True, sharing an office probably make it harder for him to keep things hidden from you, but only there in that particular place. You said it yourself, you're quick to make a base judgement on people. Hardly a fatal character flaw, but sometimes it'd do you good to look beyond what people are showing you. Shuya, I doubt I need to reiterate, is one of those sort of folk. He'll show you what he wants you to see, and as soon as your back is turned, the mask is off."

He gave a rather short shrug at the end of his comment, but figured it was worth saying anyway. All respect to Vic, but he had his own experiences with Shuya in a less than favourable circumstance, he was entitled to his skepticism...That aside, he continued to eat the soup, grateful for the richer tastes against the rather dull food the hospital supplied. Something that annoyed him greatly, he would note as well. He paid substancial money to receive high-end medical care, not just due to his wealth but bearing his illness in mind well in advance, and would have expected something a little better than the low-cost garbage they were dishing up.

Of course, his tastes might have a lot to explain for that, but still...Wouldn't kill them to make a little effort...

When she spoke up again, his head raised slightly from the partial hunch he had as he was eating, trying not to spill anything onto the sheets. Being left-handed, he wasn't entirely used to handling a spoon with his right hand, thanks to the sling that kept his arm held in place. He figured he could have just taken it off, but for the sake of things, it wasn't worth the hassle. Nodding at the words, he responded.

"Don't worry about flying. However you look at it, it's the safest way to travel."

Smirking at that, he carried on, "Still, I'm glad the money's done some good. If they really have set up a charity, then all the better for it to go that way. I hope things keep on the up for them..."

The smirk faded into a more natural smile, something warmer than the knowing grin that would usually emerge on the Asian males face. It was good to know that even now, something he'd contributed in one way or another was doing something else. When she changed the subject, he answered with a slight shrug.

"Good enough, y'know? People keep coming back, new people keep showing up, in the most base of understandings, that's a good sign for my line of work....", he gave a short laugh at the blasé remark, carrying on without much of a pause, "There's a lot of strong competition in the area, but we're definitely holding our own, and this first year has been excellent. Seventy percent of establishments like clubs or bars will fail their first year if they're not run well, and even in some cases if they are and just can't get the clients in. No doubt, I'll always have the funding to do it, but the only concern I had was getting people to come along. Once that was out the way, I just had to see what they liked, keep on top of what was popular and what was going to be, and it's a breeze. Above all else, it's fun to do, so I'm pretty much on the win-win there. No arguments."

[Victoria Alexander]

(ooc- sorry for shortness)

'It doesn't help that a large part of California's population love a good party and know when a drinks not watered down. Bar hopping seems to be the favorite past time around here."

She paused.

"Course you’re an owner that’s at a good age to know what’s in and what’s not. Most bars stick to old school ways with an old jukebox and same old booze. You on the other hand love the challenge of seeing what works and what don’t. You've always been so fearless in so many ways. But its good to hear that business has been booming. Anything I would establish would drown in the first year. Heh. Never had to handle too much responsibility for too long. At least in that retrospect.”

Victoria looked around the room, trying to not make Kazuki a focal point. She then decided to open the curtains, raising from her chair and walking over to the window and adjusting them to the side. It was near dark. It was nice to overlook the city and have something to divert her attention so Kazuki didn't feel as if she were staring at him. Leaning against the wall Victoria overlooked the streets that still moved with activity. The subtle differences between here and home were few in number. It was hard for Victoria to become homesick.

As she watched over the city for a few moments something seemed to settle in her mind. She decided that it was best to get the answer from someone she trusted. She wondered whether or not to ask Kazuki about any Tournaments. It was something that plagued her since she came into town in the beginning of the year.

“Kazuki. Do you know if they still hold tourneys? No doubt you would know and be apart of it, specially with the transfer. Students seem to get a hold of that sort of information better than me now adays, unfortunately.”

She really hadn’t any intention of participating and probably wouldn’t be able since she now was a head figure in the school. It had been over 7 months since she had last fought and no doubt was a little rusty. She had been keeping up with her agility training to keep her quick on her toes. But she hadn’t went toe to toe in a while. Maybe Tak would help her play catch up. She needed to keep fit and maybe she would even find a few people to spar along the way. But she still had to know where they were holding any Tournaments at. It would help her decide the outcome if her and Shuya were to ever appoint a School Captain. Something the two of them hadn’t really addressed as of yet since no problems had yet to arise. There was talk about Kokaku, someone she knew and was able to trust from past experiences but it was never decided.

[Kazuki Akimoto]

ooc: I know it's short...

ic:

"I guess there is that as well..."

He smirked at the remark, agreeing with her. It was one of the points he exploited, admittedly, and so far it had worked. He kept a little ahead of the normal legion of club and bar owners by meticulously following what was popular. There was a certain dip in integrity there for him, but it was business. He played to a crowd with Legion, and they seemed to enjoy it.

With the brief spell of silence, he calmly picked at the rest of the food, slowing down to avoid giving himself a stomach cramp, until she posed her question. Finishing the mouthful he had, he responded.

"Yeah, they're still hosting them. I've heard that there's one coming up in a couple of months, but that's just words and whispers in the wind just now. The problem is, the hosting is a little more different to how it was in Varron. One of the old Hircine pillars had made arrangements with some authority figures in the area to have police turn a blind eye to it all in exchange for permitting spectators and gambling. As such, it's more like an underground MMA tournament, just a little more vicious. If you're needing a heads up, I'll pass word on when I hear more, but it's kept pretty quiet until closer to the time."

He would, but part of him hoped it would be a little longer than initially suggested. He'd planned on taking part in this one, and if that was going to be the case, he'd need as much time as possible to get back to fighting fitness.

[Victoria Alexander]

"Gambling is what I was trying to avoid in Varron. I always felt that it gave disabilities to new and upcoming fighters, nothing like telling them their worthless when the polls weren't in their favor. Not to mention I didn’t want the Councils grubby fingers into anything other than what was rightfully theirs. Money always made people stupid when it ended up in the wrong hands. Course I'm guilty of being apart of certain 'parties' when I needed money after the school closed."

She shook her head turning her eyes from the window and to the bed. She hated what she did for the past two years to make a living. She would never be proud of it. And if she just took Kazuki's money that he gave her she would have lived handsomely but it wasn't her. She grew up with nothing, she would die with nothing why change what she knew.

"Being that you know about the tournament are you planning on entering it? I mean after all, this little setback should be warning you to take a step back and look at what you might leave behind if you push too hard. Im not going to stand here and treat you like a child but I know what your thinking. I know you Kazuki and I know that no matter what I say or what anyone will say you will still do what you wish feeling that there is no consequences for your actions.”

She knew she gave him no chance to answer, to defend himself to her words but in retrospect of what was going on. She had to at least give him doubt and have him think things through before he put himself in a position to fight. She still spoke softly. More with a stern tone, a more of a “gotta listen” tone.

“Just ask yourself one thing before you decide whether or not your going to fight. Ask yourself if its worth losing everything for. I have nothing to lose. But I know that you do. And Im not talking about money or material things.”

Her eyes got directed towards the door as a nurse stopped and checked the file that was kept next to the doorway. Victoria paused in waiting to see if the nurse came into the room or not but instead watched as she walked in a different direction. Her eyes went back towards Kazuki.

You can never tell a grown man to do anything, she could tell by his facial expression. Sometimes its like talking to a wall when they got their mind set. Victoria knew that all too well but she didn’t care.

"But, yeah. If you hear word. Please let me know."

[Kazuki Akimoto]

"Money is money, that's all there really is to it. Yeah, the gambling side of the tournaments detracts from what a lot of these kids are trying to do, but it also gives some of them the chance to make some extra cash when they need it. I've heard of more than one occasion where a fighter has had someone bet against him when his opponent is almost certain to beat him, just to ensure that no matter the outcome, he'll have something to fall back on. It depends on how people want to look at it, I suppose, and I'd not be lying to say it's a far cry from the sort of stuff that used to go on in Varron. This is more like....I don't know, an extreme version of the UFC or something, I suppose. The people are there to see blood, but they have people they support and want to win, and it's treated more like a sport than human cockfighting. Hell, I still get a buzz off the cheers when I walk into the ring..."

He chuckled quietly at his own words and leaned back, folding an arm behind his head as he set the dishes down in front of him on the sliding table. Staying on the subject but changing the topic somewhat, he listened with a faintly raised eyebrow to Victoria as she gave the vaguely chiding speech, trying to have him 'think about the risks' and 'consider what he could lose'. Making a conscious effort not to sound rude, he replied a few moments later when she finally paused for breath, taking one of his own before speaking.

"If by what I have to lose, you mean Kira, you'd be mistaken. Yes, I'm quite aware that she's concerned for my health and she's worried I'll put myself back in here if I'm not careful, but the fact is that this is my world. I can't just walk away from it like that.", snapping his fingers for effect with the words, his eyebrow sunk slowly again as he carried on, "I will fight, and God help me, I'm going to win it if that's what fate decides. My body has taken far worse punishment than this, and by the time the tournament comes around, I'll be back into a suitable condition to fight. I understand your....concern, Victoria, but of all people, you should know better than to try and change my viewpoint on such a thing."

Running his free hand through his hair slowly, he sighed quietly as his eyes closed, then opened again a moment later. Without looking towards her, he added a last remark, his eyes fixed upward to the lights in the ceiling.

"And, of course. When I know, you'll know."

[Victoria Alexander]

She knew he wasn’t going to change she just wanted that idea in the back of his head the next time he went out there. Kazuki will always fight till the end. She wouldn’t put it past him that he would be fighting in the after life too when it was his time.

“I’m usually the last one to know but yea, your right I probably will know.”

Victoria lifted herself from the wall and walked over to the bed. She was quiet as she gathered the empty bowls and silverware, placing them into the bag that she had brought. Cleaning off his tray before moving it back to were it belonged she didn’t bother to take her seat in the chair that she had done previously.

“Thank you for telling me about the tourney. Im sure I probably wouldn’t have found out by any other means with the position I am in now.”

She paused for just a second. Fiddling with the bag in her hand. Unsure whether to hold it in one hand or with both hands.

“I just want you to know that I will always be there for you if you ever should call. Like it or not I like to think of myself as a dedicated friend.”

Pausing again as if she was trying to find the right words.

“I lost a lot and Im paying for it everyday but there will always be that light at the end of the tunnel. That hope that I once thought was false. It only took a lot of stubborn time to realize that, that hope, that light that is at the end of my tunnel will be my friends. I will never have a family, no blood that will bond me to another person, but I know that I will always have friends like you, like Tak to keep me going. And I am going to appreciate that every single day.”

She took a breath, looking out the window at the dark street below. It seemed to be getting darker and darker with the upcoming season.

“Well I should go. I'm sure Kira will be in probably a few steps after I leave anyhow and if not Im sure you can use the extra rest.”