Life and Fighting (True Grave and LustLove)

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Civic Center of Greater Miami Florida," boomed a loud voice across the arena.
"It is time for your main event, a Light Heavyweight showdown between two rising stars of the World Fighting Alliance. The big prize? A contract to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championships. Let's bring out our fighters!"
The crowd erupted in applause.

"In the red corner, weighing two hundred and fifteen pounds, he stands five feet, eight inches tall. He is a Freestyle fighter who calls New Orleans, Louisiana his home. Put your hands together for Matt Granger!"
The audience cheered him on as he made his way to the cage. Granger was clearly enjoying the attention, and showboated quite a bit before settling into his corner. When the crowd had settled down, the announcer raised the microphone to his lips once more.

"It is time to introduce his opponent. In the blue corner, weighing one hundred and twenty pounds, he stands at an even six feet. He is a Kickboxer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist who hails from our own Miami, Florida. Give a warm welcome to the hometown hero, Jacob Young!"
Jacob took his cue and began bouncing on the balls of his feet as the gate rose. He then began to walk casually down the lane toward the cage.

The young and handsome fighter with soft brown hair and bright blue eyes touched the hands of many who reached out to touch him. He flexed his muscular arms and tightened his well-defined six-pack as his own form of showboating. When he stepped into the cage, however, he was all business. This was the fight that could make or break his career, and he had to be prepared for whatever Granger had to throw at him. The two had squared off in WFA fights before, and both had one victory over the other. Tonight was the night to break the tie once and for all, and prove to the other who the better mixed martial artist was.

When both fighters were in the cage, the referee called them to the center.
"All right, gentlemen. This is a fight for a UFC contract, so I want you to do your best. This will be a clean and fair fight. Touch gloves to make it official."
Jake glared at Granger, but extended his fist to touch gloves.

"I hope you enjoy watching me on TV, Jake," Granger said with a cocky smile, "Because I'll think about you...not at all."
He then bumped his fist and went to his corner. Jake ignored the posturing and slipped his black mouth-guard in, a look that matched his trunks. As he tightened up his black MMA gloves with the blue band that read "WFA", his senses went on overdrive. Not only was he going to fight tonight, but he was going to win. He turned, and entered a boxer's stance just as the announcer told them to begin.

Granger was in his Muay Thai stance, and moved toward him. Jake threw a few probing punches that were easily deflected, but once he was in range, he tagged him with a mid-level kick to the ribs. Granger threw a head kick at him that was ducked under, though Jake had to jump back to avoid a follow-up middle kick with his other leg. His opponent was playing for keeps tonight, so Jake would have to step up his game a little. He dodged another kick aimed at his body, then moved in and connected with a few punches to the face. A knee to his solar plexus convinced him to back off, but Granger had been damaged more than him in the assault.

Seeing that his legs weren't doing him much good, Granger began throwing several punches. He had decent punching power, but since he usually relied on his legs, his blows were slow and easy to telegraph. On a particularly bad punch, Jake swatted it aside and countered with an uppercut that he was sure rattled his opponent's jaw. However, he seemed to not mind taking the blow, as he smiled and grabbed him around the waist, trying to force a double-leg takedown. Jake pivoted his body and pushed Granger into the cage. Once there, he grabbed onto his head for leverage and began kneeing him as hard as he could.

Granger let go after a few knees, but a left elbow to the jaw left his head spinning. Jake pivoted around a second time and caught his opponent on the other side of his jaw with a spinning roundhouse kick. Granger's mouth-guard flew across the cage, and the fighter himself crashed to the ground. When the announcer declared his assured victory, Jake approached the referee, who raised his hand in victory and congratulated him.
"So, when do I meet with the UFC officials?"
"Come back to the Civic Center tomorrow afternoon and take a limo to the business."

Jake thanked him and went to change into his street clothes in the locker room. After grabbing his gym bag, he left out of a service exit. He did not have a car, but his house was not far from either his gym or the Civic Center where he had thus far had all of his fights. As he was passing by an alleyway, he saw a man putting his hands all over a shouting woman. When he struck her to cut off her screams, Jake felt angry. He began to approach the scene, being cautious, but not willing to turn a blind eye to such abuse on a woman.

RE: Life and Fighting

The sounds of yelling and constant chatter went over Samantha's head as she refilled a drink for another customer. Her ability to smile had faded late in the evening as more people piled into the small space of the sports bar and as another man stared at her chest. She shoved the drink in his hand and pulled the minimal fabric up her large cleavege but that only caused the shirt to raise, giving full access to her toned torso and dimples on her back. She sighed and carried on until her shift would be over.

She constantly had to remind herself that she dealt with the dirty stares and smell of alcohol five days out of a week to offer herself a better lifestyle than she had experienced before. Eventually there would come a time when she remembered this thought and she would realize it wasn't all for nothing.

"Beer." A man demanded as she stood behind the bar. She figured he had said it many times and that it tone was out of frustration which would be her fault. She grabbed a glass then pressed the tap to release the foamy beverage into the tall cup. She set it in front of him and looked him in the eyes.

"$7.50." She told him watching as his slimy eyes raked over her body. They started from the top of her dark red strands of hair, across her lean figure, and to her bare navel. His stares made her quiver slightly but she stood her ground nonetheless. "$7.50." She repeated, louder and firmer than the last time. He reached into his pocket and pulled the money out, prompting her to keep the change while he grinned. Normally she wouldn't except a tip from a dirtbag like this man but it was a twenty dollar bill and an opportunity she would pass up. She thanked him then sank away to the other side to help her co-worker.

At least half an hour later, it was time for Samantha to clock out. She grabbed her bags and waved bye to her friends as she used the back entrance of the bar to get away quicker. She slipped a pull-over on then continued down the alleyway. Her apartment wasn't too far from the bar and with the decreased traffic, she should be able to make it out of there smoothly. She hadn't expected, however, that the man from the bar to sneak from a corner and surprised her.

She jumped, startled, then stared at him for a short moment before continuing forward with her head down as she walked.

"Where are you going?" She heard him yell out followed by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching her from behind, quickly catching up to her pace. She thought about the next words she would say as to not lead the creep on.

"Just going on a break." She told him quietly, hoping that with that lie, he would stop bothering her and go about his own business. She wasn't so lucky though.

"Mind if I join you?" He asked, now walking side by side with her. She cringed and her face settled into a grimace and she tried to continue moving along to get as far away from him as possible, not even bothering to answer his question.

All of a sudden, a force grabbed her shoulder, pulled her to the side, and slammed her body against the brick wall of the alleyway. The man pressed his sweaty body close to hers, his breath reeking a booze. She tried detaching his grip from her but failed to do so. Looking into his eyes, she could tell he wouldn't continuing playing games with her. A terrified expression found way to her features and she attempted to get away from him again. She knew all too well what would happen from pure knowledge and didn't want to be a victim.

But her weak strength was no match from his and he pushed her to the wall again. His hands then boldly groped her breasts and her sides, trailing further and further down her tight body. A rippling scream escaped her throat as she tried to bring attention to themselves before he smacked her across the face. It silenced her for a while but not before not, she was screaming at the top of her lungs again, praying someone would find them.

RE: Life and Fighting

As Jake got closer, he could make out a large drunk man wildly groping a petite young girl with large breasts. As the man began reaching for the hem of her hoody, Jake grabbed him by the back of his neck and tossed him into some garbage.
"You should learn some etiquette, buddy. No woman wants to be treated like that."
The drunk staggered to his feet and lunged at him, but Jake casually stepped out of the way and he hit a wall.
"You need to...mind your own business...hic."

"The minute that you attacked a woman right in front of me, that made it my business. I can't stand men who abuse women or children."
The drunk produced a knife and turned, but Jake had seen the glint of silver and snapped out a head kick that sent the drunk falling to the dirty alley ground. The knife clattered into some garbage. Jake turned to the young woman.
"Are you okay, miss," he asked as he extended a hand to help her off of the wall.

RE: Life and Fighting

Samantha watched in amazement as the man who appeared out of nowhere saved her life. She was stunned that someone as small as him could take on the larger man, however, she was glad he had. She was even more pleased that he did not get hurt in the process of trying to protect her. She grabbed his hand graciously and helped herself off of the wall.

She stared at the man for a little while before nodding her head. She was still reeling from the fact that she had almost gotten raped and that he came to her rescue without a second thought. The sediment warmed her heart and she instantly felt like she owed him something. "Do you want a drink?" She asked him, not thinking of how it would sound until the question left her lips. Yet she looked to him hoping it would at the very least consider her offer.

RE: Life and Fighting

Jake saw her spring off of the wall with surprising resilience, something that let him know that she would be just fine. When she asked him if he wanted a drink, he nodded.
"Yeah, that sounds great."
He went inside the sports bar, which he guessed was where she worked, and took a seat at the bar. Some guy saw him come in and shouted, "That's Jacob Young, from the World Fighting Alliance!"
Many people began murmuring and toasting to the hometwon hero.

RE: Life and Fighting

Samantha led him back to the sports bar that was only a few feet away from where the scumbag tried to attack her and slipped in behind the bar to find him a drink. She smiled has the many men around the bar happily greeted the guy named Jacob. For once, she didn't mind the noise and was happier to find out that Jacob was a good guy. Though she had never heard of him before, many of the other men knew him fairly well which made her feel secure. She fixed him a drink, a generic beer that she assumed her wouldn't mind and didn't bother telling him a fee that would need to be paid. "On the house." She told him with a smile.

RE: Life and Fighting

Jake smiled as the woman said that it was on the house.
"That's very generous of you."
He sipped the beer, which actually tasted less like piss than other beers. When he set it back down, he fixed her with his bright, warm eyes.
"I never even got your name, sweetheart."
He then chuckled a bit about his slip.
"If you don't mind me calling you that."
He took another sip of the beer.

RE: Life and Fighting

Samantha ran a hand through her hair and stared back at him with her dazzling green eyes. Until this moment, she hadn't taken notice of how handsome her savor was. He was very handsome in fact and she felt a warm blush flush her cheeks once he called her sweetheart. She busied her hands by cleaning out some glasses and setting them on the shelves behind the bar, though her shift had been over for more than an hour now. "My name's Samantha." She said sweetly. "And your name is Jacob?"

RE: Life and Fighting

Jacob took in the sight of the young woman called Samantha. She was exceptionally beautiful, with long, flowing red hair. She was very fit and had a sexy body. It was impossible not to notice her above average bust for her size, but he tried not to stare at them like a pervert. Her green eyes were dazzling. His heart was racing and his hormones were telling him to sweep this fair maiden off her feet. But that was a silly idea, considering that they had just met.

"Yes, my name is Jacob Young. Everybody calls me Jake, though."
He finished his beer and stood up.
"Weren't you heading home? I can walk you to your place if you'd like."
Jake was a very chivalrous person, and most people who knew him joked that he was the reincarnation of an English knight.

RE: Life and Fighting

Samantha almost denied his request, about to say she was working when she realized that she was off of work. Walking the streets along this time of night were dangerous seeing as she nearly was raped the last time. Letting this kind man take her home shouldn't be anything too hard to do and she nodded her head in agreeance. She said goodbye to her co-workers once again, joking that she would promise not to come back until she was ready for her next shift.

She looked to Jacob and had him follow her out the back exit of the bar. This time no other man could crudely frighten and then attack her with her savior being present. She walked quickly ahead of him, not on purpose, but our of sheer habit since she was used to the speed due to her lengthy legs.

RE: Life and Fighting

Jake didn't mind that Samantha was walking a bit ahead of him. He kept up and stopped not far behind her when she reached home.
"Well, I guess that this is where we part ways. It was nice meeting you, Samantha."
He turned and began walking away. Jake needed some light training and a shower.

RE: Life and Fighting

Samantha nodded and smiled as she walked up the few steps to the front door of her apartment. Jacob seemed like a very nice guy, first saving her from that man that attacked her then offering to walk with her home. She couldn't stop feeling like she owed him more than the free beer that she had offered him. She turned to say something else to him but when she saw his retreating figure, she figured it was too late now to say anything she wanted to him. Samantha watched him for a while longer before going into her apartment and heading straight to her bedroom.

RE: Life and Fighting

Jake could feel eyes on his back, but by the time he turned around, she had all ready gone inside. He didn't want to intrude on her, but he couldn't help but feel like there was more between them. He remembered the blush on her cheeks when he called her sweetheart, and he had felt for himself his erection just looking at her. But there was more to it than just physical. His heart told him that this was not just another skank working in a sports bar, but a nice young woman that he should associate with. He went up to her door and knocked gently on it.

RE: Life and Fighting

Samantha had been ready to take a shower when she heard a soft knock at her door. She didn't know who it could possibly be but she didn't waste any time as she rushed downstairs to see who it was. Without checking through her peephole, which was never a safe careless act, she swung the door open to find Jacob standing at the top of her steps. At first she was happy to see that he had come back for whatever reason it may have been but suddenly her cheeks burned and she glanced down at herself. She was only in a robe and a short one at that.

She tried unsuccessfully to use her hands as some type of security from the precarious robe. She kept her hands in place though, feeling more comfortable that they were there than not. She smiled shyly at him and then let out a nervous giggle. "Jacob. What brings you here?" She asked him.

RE: Life and Fighting

Jacob had expected her to answer the door, just not in a short bathrobe.
"Oh, I'm sorry to have interrupted. I was going to ask if I could use your shower. I see that you were about to do the same."
He cleared his throat to cover his desire for her.
"Do you mind if I come in?"

RE: Life and Fighting

Samantha still felt slightly embarrassed by her attire especially since he noticed it so easily. She nodded her head though and stepped aside, giving him enough room to get through her door. She closed it after them then reached for his bag to set it down someone for the time being. "Would you like something to eat or to drink?" She asked, trying to be an excellent host to him. She still felt as though there was much more she could do for him after the gracious favor he had done for her.

RE: Life and Fighting

Jake turned to her.
"Maybe later. Right now, I just want a shower."
He sat down on her couch.
"You can go ahead and take yours. I'll wait."

RE: Life and Fighting

"No, you can go before me." Samantha told him grabbing his hand and pulling him up from the couch. She looked down at him smiling softly and prompted him to go ahead. "I have a few other things to take care of first and I'll just do them as you take your shower." She said as she ran a hand through her hair. "I have extra towels in the closet beside the bathroom door, up the stairs and only door on the left. Can't miss it." She instructed.

RE: Life and Fighting

Jake got off the couch as she pulled him up.
"Uh, okay. Thanks."
He went upstairs and grabbed a towel before heading into the immaculate bathroom. He shut the door, then stripped out of his clothes. After adjusting the water, he stepped inside and grabbed the soap to begin washing.

RE: Life and Fighting

Samantha sat downstairs on the couch with nothing to do. She had told him that lie so he wouldn't feel bad about taking a shower before her. She crossed one of her legs over the other as she turned on the TV and flipped through the channels until she found something decent to look at. At the same time she listened out for the sound of water upstairs to know when he would be done with the shower.

RE: Life and Fighting

When Jake was finished washing, he shampooed and then washed his hair. When he was done, he toweled off until he was completely dry from head-to-toe. He walked downstairs and got some clothes from his bag, then headed upstairs to get dressed. When he was dressed, he hung up the towels to dry and came downstairs.
"I guess you finished what you had to do pretty quick. You can use the shower now."

RE: Life and Fighting

Samantha jumped when she heard Jacob behind her. She stood up from the couch and laughed nervously before she started up the steps. She didn't know why she kept acting this way around him but it was completely unlike herself. She shook her head of the thoughts then grabbed herself a towel and stepped inside the shower. She washed her entire body, twice over then rinsed herself off. Next, she shampooed and conditioned her hair then rinsed it off. After she was done with everything, she stepped from the shower and dried most of her body off before going into her room.

She wasn't sure what Jacob was doing downstairs but it couldn't be anything to bad. She sifted through her clothes until she found some decent clothes to wear in front of him then proceeded to take her time drying her hair before putting on her clothes. Once she was finally done, she took all of the dirty items and took them downstairs to the laundry room. "Are you hungry now?" She called to him as she passed by the living room.

RE: Life and Fighting

Jake nodded.
"Yeah, I could eat. Do you have anything not loaded with calories? I have to watch my diet for my training."
He went into the kitchen and sat down.
"You smell very nice."

RE: Life and Fighting

Samantha smiled at him and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You smell nice too." She said to him. She looked through her cabinets and fridge, looking for anything to fix him. She didn't eat very healthy and she was lucky to have a fast metabolism but she didn't want him to suffer because of her habits. "So, what type of training are you talking about?" She wondered as she continued to search through the food she had to see if it would be something that he could eat.

RE: Life and Fighting

Jake smiled.
"Anything to do with being a better MMA fighter. I have to do strength training with free weights and other forms, sprinting to work on my speed, running in general to work on my cardio, sparring to get a feel for fighting an actual opponent, and heavy bag training to work on my striking techniques, plus training dummies for grappling techniques. I have one hell of a workout, but what I take in is the most essential part, as it effects what I can give out."
He saw her searching through her cabinets.
"If you don't have anything, don't worry about it."