"Are you sure about this?" She asked, beginning her stretches with moving her arms up behind her head.

You shrugged your shoulders, using the movement to help drop your jacket from them, leaving you in your short-sleeved top and jogging bottoms.

"I need the money," you stated. "And I was taught by the best."

She cocked an eyebrow at you to see if you were truly ready. You got yourself into position, ready to brace yourself for what was about to happen. As she saw you prepare yourself, she took it as a sign to throw the first hit. You quickly blocked it, trying to keep form, before returning the gesture. The two of you exchanged blocked blows until she was able to get a hit to your waist. You stumbled a step back, doing your best to keep stood up and prepared to continue the fight.

Xialing took the short break from fighting to flash you a smirk. "You need to be certain because I don't want to have to clean you off my arena floor."

"I'm certain I can take your fighters," you said, gesturing for her to come at you again.

The fight continued between the two of you, both of you getting good hits onto one another until you were able to swipe out her legs from below her, pushing yourself on top of her to stop her from getting back up onto her feet.

"I win," you grinned.

You stood up over her, your feet either side of Xialing as you reached out a hand for her to take.

"Only because I let you," she retorted, firmly taking your hand, letting you help hoist her back up to her feet.

"Whatever you say," you chuckled. "We've been fighting together for years, and you've never let me fight at your club. You know what I'm capable of and I don't need you protecting me."

Xialing sighed, shaking her head at you. You had been her friend for years and helped her fight club become what it was and no matter how often you asked to get in on one of the fights, she made any excuse to keep you out of the ring.

"I've offered to give you the money."

"I don't want a handout. I can earn the money I need after one fight. What's the worst thing that will happen? You'll get to see my arse get handed to me and can tell me you were right. How many times have you been in there? You taught me everything I know, so if you can go in there, then so should I."

She locked her jaw. "Fine. On one condition. I am going to pick who you fight and once you have your money, you don't ask me this again."

You held out your hand for her to shake. "Deal."

~*~

Written by Charlotte.