Chapter 57

Danuja know that she was strong and no, believe it or not it wasn't arrogance. Her height itself made her know she was much more strong than the average woman even at a young age. Her board shoulders and big hands made her aware that she can carry weight, heavy, lonely weight.

An year and some ago even her long, straight black hair made her know she was strong in other ways beside the physical mode.

Danuja know she was strong from the outcome of any fight she had before. From how she could win a future encounter with a single push or a simple, sharp and cold stare.

Even though she was strong, Danuja liked to think she also has restrain. Or at last enough mind to know that if her opponent falls unconscious, the outcome would be too frail to decide.

But sometimes, just thinking that you have something doesn't actually mean you really have it.

---

'' You are going in there in five minutes kid.'' Mr. Touma said checking the ice bucket before throwing another additional small blade. In response Danuja hummed, rolling her wrists before adjusting her crouch protection.

The stupid thing was fucking uncomfortable and Danuja just wanted to get rid of it. Luck didn't seam to be on her side with that aspect.

'' Did you see who I'm fighting with?'' Danuja asked checking the bandages around her feet and ankle, tightening her left leg once more. She always bind that one too loosely.

'' Same as usual at first glance. Close to your height and weight while being somewhere in his mid twenty's or early twenty. I'm never sure with the kids those days.'' he said shaking his head making Danuja snort before rolling her eyes at him

'' I'm not sure if I asked or you even told me before, but is age any important when choosing the fight?'' she asked fixing her leg bind before getting up, walking with Mr. Touma towards the ring

'' Who knows.'' he said smirking like every time something Danuja didn't know appeared before adding '' No one, beside the ones that run this place know the age of those that step in the ring. I'm pretty sure people don't even know the names of the ones they see fighting. If you can fight then you fight. And if you can't than you have no place in the ring.'' he said shrugging 

'' And what if someone throws a sixteen years old in a ring?'' Danuja asked feeling actually curious. What if there were more people of her age than she thought?

'' Well-'' Mr. Touma said after a while, snorting amused before stopping at their ring corner, Danuja already jumping into the ring ''- I'm sure if any normal looking sixteen years old would show up you could ask me again.'' he said already waving at her

In response Danuja rolled her eyes turning her back at the man, just in time to see her opponent jumping into the ring. They nod at each other, Danuja already feeling her heart thump harder with excitement before approaching each other at the referee sign.

She couldn't help but note the confidence her opponent walked. Somehow it didn't feel like the confidence before a fight.

-----

The loud bell was heard and the first round begin. Danuja leg was already up, slamming it in her opponent side, soft flesh bending at her weight leaving behind red spots. 

They will purple up soon enough  she couldn't help but thought, her while pressing her adversary in the ring cords. Danuja side stepped around his kick, a fast punch at her face followed by a combination of open handed strikes and low leg hits.

The both of them, fall into a rhythm of pushing and prodding with fast jabs that left behind small cuts where the skin was thinner and red spots when the hits where heavier. 

And at the end of the round Danuja could help but not the grin on her face or rather the grin on their faces.

He it's pretty strange alright she thought letting Mr. Touma fuss over her in his strange way

'' That was a good round.'' Mr. Touma commented, wiping her sweaty forehead before letting her take a couple of sips of water '' No blood either.'' he said patting her shoulders before adding in a more serious note '' Don't forget this is a fight though. You both look awfully happy to hit the shit out of each other.'' he said before snorting at her strangely enough, smug face.

The bell rung again, signaling the beginning of the second round and Danuja couldn't help but jump forward, stabbing her foot in her opponent solar plex, lunging at him while he choked on nothing, hitting his face right in.

In response Danuja gritted her teeth when she couldn't block the low kick, almost under her knee that made her step back, her fist prodding her adversary's shoulder. She watched with surprise and giddiness how the man smiled, Danuja pivoting around him when he begin another combination.

She couldn't quiet avoid the hit at her jaw, that made blood flood in her mouth and another type of noise ringing in her head, like her opponent couldn't avoid the devasting leg kick that hit right through his side, throwing him into the ring cords. It was quickly followed by a well placed right hook that made him sway before hitting the ground with a dizzy look.

Still feeling quite euphoric, Danuja throw himself on him, snorting when he desperately thrashed under her, just to get himself trapped above Danuja, her legs locking her opponent above her, one of her hands awkwardly around his body while the other one was gripping at his neck tightly, knocking the air out of him.

She couldn't hear anything for some time, not Mr. Touma encouraged voice or the wild crowd. The only thing Danuja could focus on was her adversary struggle and attempts at breathing while her body couldn't help but follow familiar movements.

Danuja snarled, something low and unhuman out of her throat before she slammed her head forward, warmness hitting her mouth, throwing the thrashing body above her before getting up quickly.

She blinked startled, back to reality and the iron taste in her mouth, dripping on her chin.