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It had been too much. The exhaustion from her first fight, the emotional drain following, the lift from her friends' support, and the wild confusion of first trying to build herself up for a second fight and then having been released from it by someone who seemed to exhibit such cruely. Would they have to fight him now? Aki dreamed restlessly of what might pass when she woke. She felt herself being tugged back to consciousness. First she was only aware of her iron tessen which she gripped tightly. She could feel the raised bear and butterfly that had been molded in. Strength and Grace, her sensei had taught her, one needs both to win. Next time I will be ready. Next time I will do better, she promised herself.
"Aki? Can you stand up?" She woke to Kuro's voice. He was concerned, but clearly eager to return to the action. She looked at him and was about to whisper, "I'm sorry," but she caught herself. No more apologies, she would just make up for it in her next fight. "Mm" she nodded.
"Good," he smiled, pulling her up. "It looks like we've got someone new to meet".
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