The Phoenix Saga Part III: Phoenix Odyssey

Chapter Ninety-Six: Under New Ownership

"Hyah!"

A cloud of gravel dust rose around Ranko's ankle as she spun into a high kick that whipped through the air with a snap of the fabric of her black gi pants. She dropped back into her taekwondo stance, firing a punch forward at eye level. The redhead followed her fist with a spinning back elbow, and then a leaping crescent kick.

She fought with a singular focus. Her invisible opponent stood no chance.

"Hey, Ranko!" Akane called to the redhead as she watched from the rooftop access door of the Phoenix, but she received no answer.

Ranko sprung from her crouch, executing a back handspring that hurt her hands on the gravel rooftop. She thought she saw someone in her peripheral vision as she flipped backward, twisting mid-air.

Wow, Akane thought. She's been training a lot harder since she got back. She squinted into the setting sun, shielding her eyes with her left hand and watching as her wife completed the gymnastic maneuver and turned toward her.

"It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine..."

Ranko pulled her headphones from her ears, letting the song continue to play from the black foam-padded speakers hung around her neck. "Hey, Akane. What's up?" Ranko wiped her brow on the long sleeve of her black-and-pink striped cotton shirt, her chest heaving slightly from her workout.

Akane closed on the young woman, wrapping her arms around the smaller girl. "It's getting to be about that time, love. You gotta get ready for your show."

The redhead nodded, looking back out over the rooftop of the little dive bar in which she had been reborn nearly three years prior. She wasn't quite ready to stop her workout yet. "Yeah, you're probably right. I'm gonna need to grab a shower and shit anyway. The boys here yet?"

"Everybody but Shin. They're all downstairs. Crash is two beers deep already." Akane frowned, rubbing Ranko's back through her sweaty tee shirt. "Hey, babe? Are you... okay? It's been a long time since I've seen you come out here like this. Something's just been a little... off with you since you've been home."

Ranko shrugged softly, turning her face away from her wife. "Yeah. I'm okay. I just... everything makes more sense out here sometimes. Shit's simpler. I've missed it."

Akane eyed her bride more nervously than before, reaching timidly for her arm. "Ranko, what aren't you telling me? I'm worried about you. Did something happen while you were away?"

Ranko chuckled nervously. "What? No! I mean, other than the Yokai shit, but we already talked about that." I can't... I just can't look at her and tell her what almost happened to me. She'd never look at me the same.

"Hmm. Alright, if you're sure. But you know you can talk to me about anything," Akane said gently, leaning over to kiss her love on her sweat-slick temple. "Now, come on, let's go get you pretty for your show."

"Hey!" Ranko forced herself to laugh, flicking her damp red ponytail over her shoulder and gently nudging Akane in the ribs. "You tryin' to say I'm not pretty like this?!"

Akane smiled softly, shaking her head with a wide grin. "I wouldn't dream of it, princess."

"There she is." Crash slid from his bar stool, walking to the gap between the main and service bar counters to greet his best friend as she emerged from the blue saloon door leading into the back rooms of the Phoenix. Crash gently wrapped his arms around Ranko, giving her a squeeze.