#karate

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: 1.8k

: (Part one) (Part two) (Part three) (Part Four) (Part Five) (Part six) (Part seven) (Part eight)

/: It’s also up on my wattpad, my name there is eunoiathewriter, so same as on here.

Everyone kicked in sync, stepping forward a step when kicking and then back when putting their foot down again. Repeating the same process over and over as sensei Sliver walked around and watched them all closely. Making sure his students were grasping what he was saying and that their kicks were perfection.

“Discipline,” Terry continued his speech. “The first two I can’t give you, the last one I can. But you have to be willing to receive it.”

y/n focused closely on her kicks, and not so much whatever Terry were blabbering about, she had enough discipline. Her mind wandered to the words he had told her the other night when she had extra training with him.

“You’re a Kreese and that’s the best you got?!” “Your dad could do that with ease.” “You’re becoming sloppy, where’s the perfection you had when getting here?” “Focus!” “Focus!” “Focus!” “Focus!” “Focus!” “Focus!”

“Are you?” Terry asked loudly, pacing forwards and back in front if everyone.

“Yes sensei!” Everyone called, well, but y/n who was to into her head and thought about other things. But she had a determined look on her face.

“Okey,” Terry stood with his legs apart, arms in front of him, and fists clenched, everyone copied of the man and did the same stance as him.

“Now, I understand you wanna defeat your enemies and you will. When it matters. Until then just stay focused on your training,” The man stopped right in front if y/n and sent her a look taht didn’t go unnoticed by Kreese watching from the office door.

“Is that understood?” Terry turned from y/n and looked at all the others.

“Yes sensei.” A look was shared between Rooby, y/n, Mattheo and Tory.

“With conviction,”

“Yes sensei!” I was loud and powerful enough to have Terry nod his head at the students. Pleased with their work for the day. Once more they did as the sensei did, putting their arms out then down to the body’s again and bowing. “Dismissed.”

y/n let out a sigh as she finally relaxed her body that had been quite tense the whole lesson but luckily one of the two senseis noticed her tense form. Saving her from any kind of yelling at her own training session with Terry.

Robby walked up beside her, putting a gentle hand on her back, making y/n look up and over at him. He simply smiled at her, his eyes holding the one look she’d gotten to know as his ‘you okey?’ look.

“I’m fine, if that’s what you’re gonna ask,” y/n moved her shoulders differently till she heard a small crack in her shoulders and back, the action making her tenses body relax even more and stop hurting.

“Well you seemed more tense than you’ve ever been before,” Robby said, removing his hand from her lower back and walking over to grab their water bottles.

“Just been sleeping weirdly lately,” She grabbed the bottle from Robby’s hand and poped it open. Just as she were about to take a swing of it, Tory walked up and hooked an arm around y/n’s shoulders.

“Second sensei been working us hard today,” Kyler spoke as he walked over along with Mattheo and Kenny. “Guys going beast mode,”

“You call that beast mode?” y/n asked with a cocky tone, chugging half her bottle in one go. Kyler just rolled her eyes at y/n and the two girl shared a smile.

“Just sucks we can give a beat down before the tournament,” Kyler added, making the other five look at him. Kenny held a sour look as he really wanted it to happen.

“Just because we can’t fight doesn’t mean we can’t give a little bit of pay back,” Robby shrugged with a smirk growing on his face. Mattheo gave him a questionable look.

“So, what do you have in mind?” Tory asked as she and y/n had their arms around one another with grins, wanting to know desperately. Robby simply smirked.

“We only have to make sure you guys don’t violate your probation, then whatever you have in mind should be a pice if cake,” y/n let her eyes meet Robbys as she too wore a smirk.

“But how are we gonna do that?” Kenny asked with furrowed brows as he looked around at the older ones.

“I’m wondering the same little man,” Mattheo was confused, not a surprise he wasn’t all to smart.

“I was thinking,”

–

Eli laid on his stomach, smiling as he texted with Moon. They had finally started to catch up and getting used to the whole friends thing after what happend the months prior. He had been a douche to everyone and taht included Moon, he’d driven her away with who he became.

As of now, however, Eli had just dyed his hair purple so it was time to touch up the hawk in his back to match himself. Rico had just finished up adding the purple on his tattoo, then walking out the room. It had been a few minutes so to say Eli wondered where the man had gone was an understatement.

“Hey, Rico, you good?” He called for the man but only the sound of doors opening and some thuds followed.

“Tattoo shops closed for the day,” Looking up at the familiar voice, Eli saw Kyler, Mattheo, Tory, Robby, y/n and another guy from Cobra Kai walk in.

“Hey,” Kyler said with a smug tone but Eli was quick to jump up and kick the tattoo chair towards Kyler, Mattheo and the other guy as they ran at him.

It was a hard fight, he struggled against the three, his phone getting smashed in the process. But the Cobras quickly got the upper hand and all three struggled to hold him down but still managed to.

Tory walked up beside him with a cold face, but her eyes holding a burning glare at the boy she once saw as a friend but now was a traitor in her mind. Eli sent back the same glare while looking at her, trying to break free from being held down.

“You assholes just ignoring that whole 'no fighting’ rules?” The purple head asked while looking at Tory who still burned holes into his skull.

“Oh, we’re not here to fight,” Robby told from where he stood, looking for a shaving blade to use but found none.

y/n was a bit away from him and looking for the same thing, her eyes skimmed the tools until she found something. Picking ut up and inspecting it, she then flipped up a blade, it seemd almost completely new, sharp. She flipped it down and then up once more.

“Robby,” At the call of his name the boy looked up, blue green eyes meeting e/c eyes. y/n held up the blade to show him before flipping it down and tossing it over to him.

He flipped up the blade and inspected it himself as y/n walked over and stood beside Tory. Eli looked her up and down with a scowl on his face and his eyes burning into y/n’s head, still mad about what she said in school a few weeks back.

“Now what is your problem with Kenny? I really am intrigued,” y/n asked as she crossed her arms.

“I was simply telling him the truth, Cobra Kai makes you a shithole. Look at yourself,” Eli spoke but the comment made Mattheo tighten his hold and bring his head down more towards the chair.

“Oh, bu-hu, my feeling are so hurt right now,” y/n said in a sarcastic tone as Robby walked closer, holding up the blade for Eli to see it.

When Eli saw the blade in Robby’s hand, he immediately tried to move as far as he could, even though he was restrained, but that didn’t help. Robby looked at the blade then over at Eli with a cold look. He was no longer Miyagi-Do but Cobra Kai, he had embraced the two styles of karate and was now one of the enemy. Well, in Eli’s eyes, Robby always was the enemy. First because he was a Miyagi-Do, then for what he did to Miguel and now for being Cobra Kai.

“Wait,” y/n stopped Robby before he even could do something, for a split second, Eli thought the girl would say this was a bad idea but that was far from it.

“What are you doing?” Kyler and Tory asked in unison.

“None of you two should do it,” y/n pointed between Robby and Tory. Both grasping what she meant. “I can do it, don’t wanna, ya'know.”

Robby handed her the blade carefully, hand brushing hers as she took it from him and walked behind Eli. Tory and Robby stood beside and watched.

This was revenge, not only for them, but Kenny too.

-At school the next day-

Sam was fuming as she paced forward and back in the parking lot, Demetri and Miguel sanding by and watching as she let out puffs of frustration and grunts of anger. They had three seen what Cobra Kai did to Eli, he came to Miyagi-Do with big chunks of his purple parts being shaved off, unevenly.

It was so short that there was no saving ut except for shaving it all off and starting of fresh. They were all three angered by how low Cobra Kai stooped, but it was almost as if they had it coming. Cobra Kai was all about pride and they wouldn’t let what heppedn at the movies slip, no question.

“I wish I could just punch those two prima donnas,” Sam huffed as she had her brows in a scowl.

“Save it for the tournament.” Miguel calmly told his girlfriend, even though he himself was mad about it all.

“How can you even be so calm right now? They went low with this, oh, and don’t even get me started on y/n. She’s gone sooo low,” Sam exaggerated a little as she spoke.

The couple began to bicker back and forth as Demetri stood by, waiting for Yasmin to turn up. But something else cought his eye. A bit away from the entrance if the school and parking lot, he could see two figures walking. It was Robby and y/n.

“Hey guys,”

“WHAT?” Miguel and Sam said at the same time, sharing a look of narrowed eyes at one another. Then looking into the direction Demetri was, Sam’s jaw almost dropped.

“He’s not even allowed in school, right?” Miguel asked the two.

“Correct,” Sam answered bitterly as she watched y/n hold a board in her hand while chatting with Robby, as if nothing had happend the other day.

Robby and y/n smiled at one another, then another figure appeared further away who was Mattheo. He waved at y/n who waved back at him, saying something to Robby while handing him the board in her hand. In a swift move, Robby reached out and brushed some of y/n’s front pices of hair away from her face, bidding his goodbye before skating off. The girl smoked and then turned, wlaking over to her other friend.

“Are they dating?” Demetri asked with a confused look, brows furrowed.

“Wouldn’t surprise me,” Sam grumbled while glaring at y/n.

“Yeah, me neither.” Miguel agreed.

Tagged people:

@peachy-keene33@hollxe1@spaceygirly1@beltzboys2015-blog@andrewgarfields-girlfriend@bowscale@ayomaaaaaaaaaaa@corpsebridestan@sasa-slayer@robronlove@whatinthemerlin@yelenabelovasbathwater@it-was-never-meant-to-be-boys

.ೃ࿐.

!

: 3.2k

:(Part one)(Part two)(Part three) (Part four) (Part five) (Part six) (Part seven) (Part eight)

/: It’s also up on my wattpad, my name there is eunoiathewriter, so same as on here.

The past couple of weeks had been quite the experience for y/n. Not only had she started school and was now officially in the rivalry between the dojo’s, but she’d also become good friends with most of the Cobras, however, she found the most fun to be with Mattheo, Tory, Robby and Kenny. Kenny especially, he reminded her of her little brother, thought, he was younger than Kenny, there was just something in how careful Kenny was that reminded her of her own brother.

If you were to ask Robby, he’d tell you that it was as if his life suddenly was a bit better, sure, he still was desperate to win the tournament and also work to get better, but y/n had somehow brought a want for him to have some fun. Everytime he was in the dojo nowadays, it wasn’t just training he looked forward to, it was even talking to Mattheo, Tory and well y/n. And we can’t forget Kenny, he loved the kid.

Robby never thought he’d be able to get along with the Cobras as he’d always seen them as threats, but here he was, becoming close friends with three of them, even enjoying his time with them. But there was this one thing that had been bugging him deeply for the past three weeks.

Robby had never found himself being so easily at lost for words around someone, he’d always been a confident and smooth talking to people. But somehow, as soon as he wanted to ask y/n something, he was either unsure or couldn’t form a good enough sentence in his head.

That’s how he now found himself standing in the corner of the dojo, picking up some thing from his gym bag while sending glances y/n’s way. She was talking to Tory, those two got along quickly, they had just kinda clicked, even exchanged number.

It isn’t even that hard, Keene. Just ask if she wants to hang out some time, that isn’t so damn hard, Robby told himself as he threw a second shirt into the bag.

This was what had been nagging him on as a fly that wouldn’t go away, he simply just wanted to hang out with the girl. They had some good conversations and it just seemed reasonable to ask a new friend if they wanna hang out, nothing big.

God I’m such a wimp, He shook his head with a sigh.

He let his eyes travel over to y/n again, she was listening to something Tory said before answering with almost a proud look. It wouldn’t be shocking if it was about Amanda LaRusso trying to ‘help’ Tory and her family out.

But then ears parked up at a question by Tory. Why was he so interested in y/n now again? Why was he suddenly acting like a shy puppy around a girl he met only four weeks ago, it wasn’t even as if she was trying to make him act like this.

“Soo,” Tory dragged out the 'o’. “You got someone, maybe dating someone?” Her tone was teasing and she had a raised brow. The few pieces of ombre hair not up in the ponytail falling in her eyes.

“DatIng?!” y/n’s voice cracked in the middle. “God no, it just me, myself and I… and of course karate.”

“Oh come on, aren’t you on of those Encino rich kids? How come you don’t have anyone?” Tory pointed out. No answer came from the girl as she just turned to Kenny who was punching a dummy and started up a small conversation with the middle-schooler.

“Okey, don’t answer me then,” Tory huff with fake annoyance before lightly bumping y/n’s back.

The smile that graced her lips was something that drew Robbys attention, it was a small smile yet it made her face light up. He quickly cought himself starting to zone out, just watching her, and blinked rapidly before shaking his head and taking up the water bottle from his bag. Jumping over the others bags and walking over to his, well, friends.. that felt weird to say.

“Are you really sure you aren’t dating anyone then?” Tory pressed on as Robby walked over, he smiled a little at how persistent she was about something like that.

“Yes I am very sure I’m not dating anyone.” y/n looked at Robby as he stood beside Mattheo, giving him a small nod as hello. “Good punch Kenny,” She then praised the young boy as he landed a hard blow to the dummy.

“Why are the two of you so intressted in that?” Robby scrunched his brows together as Mattheo and Tory seemd almost too intrigued to know.

“Thank you, Keene, good knowing someone isn’t gonna ask about my dating history. Not that I have one though.” y/n turned to the bule eyed boy with a smile, earning one back. Kenny stopped his punching and looked between the two teenagers.

“Everyone fall in,” Kreese walked in the dojo and just like always there was no hesitation among the students as they fell into their respective places on the mat, y/n having taken over Kylers in the front.

“Today we’re gonna see who we can count on for the tournament,” Kreese looked over the crowd of students, Terry standing next with a sly look, wanting to see the students go against one another.

Robby turned and looked at y/n, she was standing straight and tall, making eye contact with her grandpa. Kreese gave her a look that seemd to be known to the girl as she gave a little nod.

“We can’t have those others win now can we? Do we wanna win?” Terry asked the group, with an expectant look on his face.

“Yes sensei.” All of the students answered, but it seemd to not be enough for Terry.

“A little more convincing,”

“Yes sensei!”

“That’s more like it.” Terry smiled, Kreese nodding.

“Mr Park, you go with Mr Brucks.” Kreese motioned for them to take one part of the mat, they were lucky the dojo were big enough for multiple people to be on the mat.

Terry and Kreese keept counting people in to pairs, everyone was based on how alike they were in fighting and some other bullshit that the two looked at. Kenny went with a guy about as good as him, Mattheo and Tory was paired with one another, she sent y/n one look.

“Don’t break him Tory, little Mattheo is fragile,” y/n teased the boy but he simply gave her the finger, trying to make it as unseen he could from the two senseis.

“Keene and Kreese,” Terry spoke, motioning for Robby and y/n to go to a certain spot at the mat. Robby let his eyes fall over to y/n who simply shrugged with a look that said it was fine for her.

“So Keene, how desperate are you to want that tournament?” y/n questioned as she raised her fists in front of her, this time doing it perfectly.

“I’m not desperate for it,” Robby told with a sigh as he did a gentle punch that was just for y/n to swipe to the side. “Are you desperate for it?”

“Maybe, maybe not,” The gentle punches continued as the other around them were more aggressive, they altered between one punching and the other swiping away the fist.

“Isn’t winning what we’re all in this for?”

“Honestly Keene,” y/n sighed as she got her punch gently swiped away. “I think we’re all in this for different reasons all of us, and I kinda think you’re one of the most desperate to win.”

Robby stayed quiet and continued doing the movements. As of how calm the two were it cought Kreeses attention along with Terry’s who both looked at the two students, but none of them noticed.

“Why do you call me that?” Robby then asked after a few quiet seconds. Brows furrowed while he looked directly at her, right now appreciating for how close in hight they were as her eyes were in level with his.

“What? You mean Keene?” She asked him with a perplexed face, not understanding what was wrong with it. Robby’s face said it all though, showing that’s what he meant.

“I don’t know, I guess it has a good ring to it. Or what, you wnat me to call you Robby?” It was just a simple question, but the fact that she just said his name of tye first time and not his last made him look to the side. It didn’t go unnoticed though as y/n suddenly cought his fist in her hand, holding it.

“Oh so you want me to call you Robby,” Her voice teasing as she quickly released his hand.

None of them knew how it picked up from just them not feeling the whole fighting each other thing and just deflecting the others punches, to suddenly punches and kicks being sent at each other. Now this made Kreese and Terry really look at the two, their fighting was almost as good, but Kreese knew y/n held back when it was someone she considered a friend.

Robby was finally able to grab y/n’s hands, having the upper hand. He sweeped a leg at her, causing y/n to fall into the mat, before she could stand up Robby placed himself on her. Making sure his whole bodyweight was on her.

“I mean, it’d be nice if you would.” Robby told her with a grin as he sat ontopof her, still holding her arms.

“But I just wanted too make you feel special Robby,” y/n spoke with a sarcastic tone, that’s when she noticed how basically her whole lower body was able to move still.

The smirk that graced her lips cought Robby off guard, suddenly she kicked her legs up and was able to wrap them around his waist and flip so Robby was on the ground.

“So… anything else you wanna complain about, Keene?”

Kreese let his lip twitch into a smile of pride, y/n was truly his best student, even before Johnny Lawrence and her father f/n Kreese. Terry who stood beside Kreese gave a nod before turning towards the man he’d known for years and who’s side he’d been at long before.

“You trained her well,” Terry said with his normal flat voice. “You thinking about having her do a routine?”

“I might, it’ll be easy to teach her,” Kreese shrugged as he watched his granddaughter now stand up and helping Robby up to his feet. He didn’t hesitate to catch the fair blush on Robbys face, making the man wonder.

-Later that night-

He knew this would be awkward, but he’d been trying to ask her to just hang out for weeks and always got interuped or she was just too quick to leave after class. At first he thought this was the most stupid idea but now it was the only way he could ask her.

It had started to become dark outside, the sky fading into a dark blue almost black color as the orange hues was just visible by the horizon. A few stars had started to litter the sky and lighting it up, the many other billion burning balls of light that was other sun’s.

Robby noticed that the street sensei Kreese lived on was actually a really nice one, the houses were pretty modern and looked well taken care of. The house he was looking for not being far from away, he could see how it looked from where he was.

The house looked nice, well taken care of just by looking at the outside and he could see the lights inside were on. Robby hesitated for a bit as he was in front of the house, unsure whether this was such a great idea.

Too late to back down Robby, He thought for himself and let out a loud sigh.

Knocking on the door was what made his heart beat faster as this could go many different ways which he wasn’t ready to think off just yet. But with a deep breath he knocked on the door, and right after he did so there was a loud bark from the other side of the door.

When the door opened, however, Kreese stood in the doorway with a raised brow at the boy at his doorstep. He was certainly not expecting Robby to be outside.

“Mr. Keene,” Kreese started off. “Can I help you with something?”

“Uh, I’m sorry sensei I wanted to talk to y/n, didn’t get a chance erlier.” Robby told with a glance behind Kreese to see a figure moving around in what seemd to be the kitchen.

“She’s cooking dinner,” Kreese told, casting a glance to his granddaughter who was talking with her brother as she wore earphones while she was frying on the meat. “But you can come in if you want, I think it’s enough for three.”

The offer made Robby blink, wearing a puzzled expression. But he quickly came too. “It’s fine I was just-”

“Ahh, come on son, some food wouldn’t hurt now would it?” It seemd Robby’s stomach agreed as it rumbled with a bit of hunger, he gave his sensei a sheepish look before being let inside the house.

It was well decorated, dark oak being the main theme with white walls. It gave a rich kinda feeling. Robby looked around the house, scanning every part of what he could see when you walked inside the house.

Something bumping on his hand made Robby look down, seeing a bernese mountain dog sniff at his hand. There was a collar around its neck with what seemd to be a name tag, it’s big dark brown eyes looking at Robby.

“Hey,” Robby said softly with a slight smile, wriggling his fingers at the dog to only earn a shy lick.

“That bastard is her dog,” Kreese turned around and pointed to y/n who smiled at something her brother had said.

“Hm,” Robby hummed, seeing what the name tag said 'Koda’ with a heart being on the metal tag. He was a beautiful dog, well groomed and the fur was soft also shiny.

“What are you doing here?” It was so sudden, Robby almost forgot y/n was there. She was no longer frying the meat or talking to someone om the phone but now stood by the dinner table that was set for two, her eyes fixated on Robby. Koda was quick to move and sit by her feet, happily wiggling his tail.

“I uhm,” Robby’s eyes averted to Kreese who stood by the door, but the old man was quick to catch on and moved towards the kitchen. “I wanted to talk to you and he kinda invited me for dinner.” Robby finished with the man now gone.

“You wanted to talk to me and came to our house instead of asking for my number?”

“You kind have the ability to get away before I can ask or I get interuped.” Robby gave his usual smile with a slight shake of his head, blinking slowly.

“Hm, well,” She didn’t know what to tell him, it was true though, she was quick to leave the dojo.

“Well, the table is set, foods done,” Kreese walked up beside his granddaughter with a look towards the bale that was now set for three people and not only two. Food standing on it and smelling utterly delicious.

The dinner was quiet. y/n had been looking at Robby from the corner of her eye, keeping an eye on him as he was focused on his food and Kreese. From time to time being bumped by Koda who wanted food.

“The foods good,” Robby then broke the silence as he moved to look at y/n since she was the one who’d been cooking.

“Yeah, she dose know how to cook now doesn’t she,” Kreese wiped his mouth with a napkin and delicately putting down his cutlery. “Now I do have to say, I was planning on inviting you Robby.”

“Why’s that?” Robby was confused to say the least.

“Because you, y/n, Nichols and Park is the only four who have a chance to win the tournament and I think it’s important to know that I can trust the you four to do more than your best.”

“Of course sensei,” Robby nodded. “I’m gonna do all I can.”

Kreese nodded, eyes squinting at Robby, trying to see if there was any lie in his word but he could identify none. What Robby said was true and Kreese could see the fire behind his eyes to show his father that he could win and he was better than the one he’d been replaced with, that he was better than Miguel.

“And you?” Kreese turned to y/n, almost as to tell her, she wouldn’t get away from working hard just because she were his granddaughter.

“You shouldn’t expect anything less of me,” The way she spoke showed Robby that the whole senseis and student even lived inside the house and not only in the dojo.

“Can we go now?” y/n asked the man sitting in front of her that were as of now not in the grandpa role but snesei role. He gave her a nod and that was the signal for y/n to stand up, Robby following.

They put the dishes in the sink and Koda followed hot in their heels, more precisely in Robby’s. He felt awkward just following her to her room but it wasn’t as if he knew what to say.

y/n’s room was simple, it was obvious that the room was just a guest bedroom that she’d added a few of her own touches to it. There was paper laying all over the desk, the bed was half done, a dog bed right beside the bed. The bags she had with her to the dojo that first day stood in a corner by the wardrobe.

“Sorry about him,” y/n broke the silence, motioning towards Koda. “He likes new people, and seems to like you more than he likes others.”

“It’s fine,” Robby shrugged and petted Koda gently, the dog leaning on his leg with his eyes closed.

“Well,” y/n plopped down on her bed eyes scanning Robby’s face. “What did you wanna tell or talk about?”

“Yeah right,” Robby turned and looked at the computer chair, sitting down on it. “I was just thinking, you know, since we only ever really meet at the dojo, I thought maybe you’d wanna hang out sometime?”

Great going Keene,

She blinked, almost shocked by the request. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, she just had never really had a friend who’d wanna hang out with her or was ever really allowed to. All her friends used to be from karate and her days always consisted off being in school, the dojo and lastly go home and do chores along with homework.

“And do like… what?” Her eyes held expectation, but Robby immediately looked up, a few strands of his pushed back blond, brown hair fell a bit. His mind searching for what they could do.

“You ever been skating?” The slow shake of her head made the smile on his face grow wider.

“Here, so you can call me instead of going to my house,”

Tagged people:

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Going to my first ever karate tournament today. Wish me luck!

Back in 2014, a couple months after what would be my last fight, I was at my academy, Williamsburg MMA. It was a Sunday afternoon and I had just finished a 3 hour training session of striking, conditioning and grappling. As I was happily walking off mats, looking forward to a shower and a meal, I saw Akrira Corassani,Phillipe NoverandJared Gordon walking in with their sparring gear. Immediately I know what I am going to do, what I have to do, against my better judgement, I have to fight. I offer my services to them since they are a man short of even, they agree with the same glee that a poker hustler agrees to let you join there game, it’s your funeral. 

My instructor quietly asks if I’d rather just go home, knowing very well what my answer would be. As I wrap my hands my stomach burns for fuel, I feel my stomach acid churning, searching for sustenance but I have nothing to offer it. I stand, adorned with head gear, shin pads, 16 ounce gloves and a mouthguard that has “Lopez” written in glittery barb wire, a joke doesn’t seem so funny now.

I can’t tell you how long this session lasted, I can’t remember how many rounds we did nor who landed the most strikes on me. It was a hurricane of pain and frustration. I’m good at this, I have a big stupid gold belt in my room to prove it but to these guys, I was toy. As my training partners walked past in their street clothes eager to head home, I noticed most of them decided to stay, to watch me take my licks. Every time I stood up from getter dropped or taken down I glanced over at them, I couldn’t tell if they were enjoying it or felt sorry for me. 

My weak nose is leaking, every few seconds I’m forced to suck the blood back into my throat so my coach won’t notice and make me stop. I can’t walt for this to be over, I can barely lift my arms enough to protect my head. My mouth taste like pennies. This is getting bad. The one or two strikes I land are met with a flurry of uppercuts and leg kicks. What kind of a life is this? The bell rings and I limp away, pretending I’m not moments from tears.  

I want to make this clear, these men weren’t trying to go super hard with me, they are just at a level that even when they go easy it’s still hard. They are good dudes who I thank for their help. I was made better, the same way a samurai sword must be bent and beaten to be stronger. In all honestly I rarely think about this moment, its 12:45 am and I’m writing this now because I just had a memory of it whizz by in my mind as I showered. I don’t think about this because I don’t regret it. I think thats why I forced myself to spar, because I knew that if I walked away from it, it would haunt me. I’m not sure what this says about me but I know it’s honest. This is who I am, and who I have been made into.