Skybox Therapy

Life had been...strange for Yamato Ishii lately, to put it lightly. Ever since his humiliating assault at the hands of the Valkyries had turned into a viral video some time ago, he simply hadn’t been the same. He’d been too embarrassed to even show his face at the arena, save for one night he had been called in for a match. But in all that time, he could never get the Valkyries’ actions out of his head.

However, tonight Yamato had once again returned to the arena for the Climax ppv. He was standing with his girlfriend, Lita, by a window in one of the skyboxes looking down over the rest of the building. Mariko was fighting the Valkyries tonight, and there was no way Yamato was going to miss it. Not for anything. He wanted to watch the Valkyries put in their place tonight. No, he needed to see it...

When his sister’s music began to play, Yamato watched Mariko make her way to the ring, almost immediately noticing how much more intense her demeanor was than normal. “I should be out there fighting with her...” Yamato muttered to Lita. Part of him felt immensely guilty for hiding himself away as much as he had lately while Mariko fought for him. But he also knew he was in no state emotionally to handle a match like this. Still, he was glad to have people like Lita and Mariko supporting him. It meant more than he could ever have possibly expressed.

Lita knew what Yamato was going through, even though she didn't know about it right away she did find out what was done to him by the Valkyries. If she wasn't around certain people when she found out the news odds are the Valkyries would either be dead or at the very least recovering from multiple shattered limbs. She was not happy to say the least, but she would save her vengeance for another day.

Unfortunately for her 'another day' was not today, or at least not yet. The rest of her crew was in action tonight as they were going for the tag team titles again. She did promise Mariko she wouldn't get involved in her team's 6-man tag, but said nothing about post match if the opposite decided to be foolish. She was not that took too kindly to friends and allies of hers being mistreated. While things between her group and the UKE have been physical, things have been kept in the ring...for the most part if you count the double count out in their last encounter. While she has never met the Valkyries they already made her personal list due to their actions. Sure they've talked big as of late but maybe Mariko's team will send them a message. Still she tried not to think too much about it, but she did already have an exit plan from her perch if Mariko and her team needed assistance afterwards.

"I know you want to be Yamato but don't feel bad. They're nothing more than a bunch of no good terrorists. Your sister and her partners tonight should be alright, plus remember what I told you, if you keep working at it the day will come where nobody will want to mess with you...Plus you're a member of White Gale now, we're in this together. Know how Daisuke and Sion are challenging for the tag titles later? It may be their match but it'll effect all of us." She wanted to reassure him he didn't have feel like he was alone or weak anymore.

She puts an arm around him and adds "Of course there will be times where we get knocked down, the important thing is getting back up. Sometimes it'll take longer than others but don't get discouraged by that. Yeah they did horrible things to you but you're still here.....If only it was legal to sneak down there and shank 'em before the bell...oh, did I say that out loud." She smiles innocently at him. As alarming as that out loud thought sounded at least it shows that indeed things will be different for Yamato and Mariko going forward.

As the match starts she asks him "That reminds me, when Sion and Daisuke have their match I'll be down there with them. I'm sure you will be but will you be alright up here by yourself?"

Lita’s words brought a brief chuckle and grin from Yamato. Something about the mental image of her going down to the ring and shanking the Valkyries was...funny. Probably more so than it should’ve been. Still, these last several weeks had been awkward and difficult, and things like smiling and laughing hadn’t been nearly as common with him as usual. Little moments like that just now were important, and he more appreciative for Lita’s support than he’d ever be able to describe.

“Yeah. I’ll be alright.” he answered with a nod. “And after they and Mariko have all won their matches, we should all go celebrate.” he added, glancing at her with a smile.

Just then though, the bell rang and Yamato looked back to the ring just in time to see Mariko blast Divine with a vicious forearm! “Nice shot, Mariko! Give her hell!” he shouted enthusiastically, even though there was no way she could hear him from here. Didn’t matter. It still seemed Mariko was fully intent on doing exactly what Yamato had said as she sent the Valkyrie into the corner. But a well-timed counter suddenly turned things around, and now his sister was on the defensive. “Ugh! Come on! Hang in there!”

Again was really wishing he could’ve been in this match, or at least at ringside for it. But the last thing he wanted was to be a distraction for Mariko now. Lita was right. He just had to be patient and put his faith in his sister.

When Yamato reacted to the counter Lita put an arm around him. Shortly after that they had a visitor, which it was noticed by another arm landing in the same place as Lita. Lita turned to look who it was and saw Kei looking back at her with a grin. She then pulls it a way and moves back a tiny bit before addressing Yamato. She asks him how things have been since they last spoke. She mentions that she heard about what happened, and while she did not hear Lita's comments earlier she said that was a bit surprised that Lita didn't react yet. It also made her question this company's values again since if the same thing happened to someone on another roster those that did such acts would most likely never been seen there again, but can see why the higher ups may want to keep them around. Though the thought of that is still a bit disturbing it isn't as much of one as it would have been back when she did her first tour here, at least the money she's getting this time around makes being around things like this makes it more tolerable, which she gave one of those "Oops did I say that out loud" comments with a slight chuckle, which Lita gave one as well.

Kei then got back on track and asked Yamato if he is learning anything from what he has seen so far. She's not looking for him to comment on anything specific, but at least wanted to know that he was paying attention. She does semi-joke that there is nothing wrong if the two make out for a little bit, not implying anything more sexual than just massive kissing at a time and a place like this as long as they're still at least somewhat paying attention to the action down there. She is happy for them and knows they will both be good partners both out and in the ring, which both will require a lot of hard work.

Unless if Yamato wants to ask her a bunch of stuff Kei will leave on her own after watching for another minute or so. Before she leaves she tells Yamato she's not hard to find if he ever wants to talk.

Yamato never even heard Kei entered the room, but glanced her way the second he felt a second arm around him. “Oh, hey!” he said with a friendly smile, caught somewhat off guard by her sudden appearance. “I’ve, uh... been better. Heh...” Yamato replied when she asked how he’d been, but he couldn’t help but chuckle when Kei mentioned how Lita hadn’t reacted. He knew how much she wanted to be in Mariko’s position right now, or at least down there with her. But Yamato was glad she was here with him instead.

When Kei asked about the match, Yamato turned to look down to the ring again, just in time to see Mariko drilling Divine with a sickening DDT that even made him cringe as he saw it. “Well, it’s a little early to tell, really. I don’t really wrestle the same style Mariko does. But it seems like she’s got a good pace going to stay ahead. If she can keep that going I think she’s in good shape...” Not the greatest analysis in the world, but it was definitely more than Yamato would’ve picked up when he first arrived in Tension.

He chuckled again at Kei’s joke, then nodded when she offered to talk if he ever needed it. “Thanks, Kei. I really appreciate it.” he said, then turned back to continue watching the match.

As they continued to watch Lita looked pleased with how Mariko was doing, pretty much doing some of what she wanted to do if she was down there herself. She even cheered and encouraged some of Mariko's actions, even yelling down when Mariko scored the elimination "Be lucky it was her that made you squeal and not me!" Whether or not anyone head it didn't really matter to her. As that chain of events went on it was difficult for Lita to remain calm and when the eliminated's partner came in and sighed when things ended for Mariko.

Part of her wanted to go down there right now and be there for Mariko when she came through the curtain. Even though she wants to see Mariko's team win it in the end she knows Mariko did what she could and left her mark and should be proud of it. When Lita calmed down she told Yamato this. She then asked him if they should stay and watch the rest of it or go down and be with Mariko.

Yamato had never felt more anxious or worried when Divine had taken control and started putting a beating on Mariko, and every hint of added disrespect the Valkyrie had thrown in made him want to sprint down to the ring and beat the living shit out of her right where she stood! But he kept having faith in his sister, and fortunately, it turned out no help was needed. Mariko not only took back control, but eliminated Divine with one of the most excruciating-looking holds Yamato had ever witnessed! “HELL YEAH! NICE WORK, MARIKO!” Yamato bellowed out cheerfully, though the high of seeing Divine get everything she deserved was short lived.

Stone was next to enter for the Valkyries, and Mariko still hadn’t let up on her hold. As a result, his sister too a vicious big boot to the back of the skull, and it had been a soul wrenching downhill spiral from there. “Come on! Hang in there!” he pleaded, but to no avail. Mariko fought as hard as she could to stay alive for as long as she could. But eventually, a triple powerbomb put her down for the three count, and Yamato sighed in unison with Lita.

When he heard her question, Yamato looked to see what Mariko would do. She seemed to battered to pick herself up and head backstage. But even if she could, Yamato had a feeling she’d choose to stay by ringside to cheer on her time, and probably to keep an eye out just in case the Valkyries tried anything underhanded. “I think she’s gonna stay out there. So I’ll keep watching too. I’ll head down once it’s over.” he said. He just hoped that when he did finally go down to be with Mariko, it would be to celebrate a win rather than comfort her in defeat...

"Alright, though if you change your mind before hand I'll come with" she tells him.