The Karate Code ~Robby Keene~

Balance

Miraleigh had woken up early, she quietly crept out of the room and answered her phone. She bit back a groan, but told her work she wold help deal with the problem. She walked back to the room, grabbed a change of clothes and walked back to the bathroom. She showed quickly, not wanting to be too noisy. After she got changed, she placed her pyjamas on the bed and walked to Robby's sleeping form. She gently shook him, seeing him stir and looked at her through squinted eyes. 

"Robby, I'm sorry for waking you. But work called and told me there's some disaster happening. I'll see you at the dojo." He nodded, a small smile on his lips and watched her walk away. He easily fell back asleep, not really wanting to get out of bed as it was way too early. Miraleigh dealt with the problem, irritated and tired. She doesn't even know why she was called in, she's nothing special in the company. All she does is deliver pizzas! She eventually made her way to the dojo, seeing Robby a couple of steps in front of her. 

"Robby!" She called out, he turned around and tried to hide his annoyed look but failed. She frowned, hoping she didn't do anything wrong to him. 

"What happened?" She gently asked, trying not to upset him further. 

"The power got cut off, mum stopped paying the bills." He had a tone, yelling internally for speaking to her like that. She decided not to push it and nodded lightly. They walked to the back, placing their bags down as they did. Their eyes landed on Daniel who was getting out of the pond and placing one of the trees up on the grass. 

"Mr. LaRusso?" Robby asked watching him.

"What are you doing?" Miraleigh added on. 

"Mr. Miyagi built this a few years before he died. He said it was a monument of balance, but today it's not gonna balance bonsais. It's gonna help you two learn the wheel technique, hop in." They looked at him weirded out, thinking he wasn't serious. 

"You could've told us to bring our swimsuits." Robby stated, kicking his shoes off. 

"Come on, a little water never hurt anybody." Miraleigh, took her shoes off and looked at the two. Robby hopped in first, tensing at the cold water. Miraleigh slowly hopped in, walking in slowly and tried not to react to the cold water hitting her skin. 

"It's so cold." She almost gasped, you know that feeling when you are in cold water and everything you would normally do feels a lot harder? It's kinda like that. 

"Alright, get at either end." Miraleigh was so glad she could stand in the water and got to the wooden float. The two teens both pushed down on the plank, one end lifting up to the one who wasn't pressing down hard. 

"If we can't do this on the ground, how are we meant to do it on this?" Robby questioned, looking up at Miraleigh who had a thinking face on. 

"On the ground it is hard to sense when your partner is moving, on this you'll be able to feel it. Come on, get up there." They both hopped on, struggling as they did so. They eventually stood up, Miraleigh looking at her feet as she tried to remain from shaking from the moving deck. 

"Miraleigh, look at Robby. You'll be okay." Miraleigh nodded, slowly starting to look up at the boy in front of her. 

"Take your starting positions." They wobbled as they did so, Miraleigh got into it just as Robby did. They wobbled as they made each move, as they did the first kick Robby fell and then Miraleigh did. They both came up, gasping as they wiped their hair away from their faces. 

"Good, not a bad start. Get back up." They nodded and climbed back on, it was harder now seeing as the wood was slippery. Miraleigh held her breath as she first stood up, letting it go as she 

"Now remember, use your senses." They started up again, taking their time but doing it well. 

"Ready?" Robby asked, she nodded and they started. Doing really well, getting better as they went along. Miraleigh's foot slide from underneath her, she yelped as they both landed in the water. 

"Don't be discouraged, you're getting better each time." Daniel encouraged, the two got back on, doing the sequence well and without falling. They both smiled, one they had did it, bowing to each other and then to Daniel. They fist bumped each other, not moving as they didn't want to slip again. After a little bit, they got dried off and Miraleigh spoke with Sam for a couple of minutes and then walked to Robby. 

"We did it" She slightly cheered, he chuckled and nodded. He stood up, smiling and grinned. 

"Yes, we did." Robby, placed the bag on his shoulder and looked at her with apologetic eyes. 

"Miraleigh, I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to snap at you, the power went out and I can't do anything to pay them." Her eyes softened, she gave the boy a gentle smile and shook her head. 

"Robby, if this is all too much for you. I can find somewhere else, I don't want you to-" 

"Miraleigh, I want you there. I like having you there and I'm not letting you stay on the street. Look, after that notice you got. You need somewhere proper to live, not the back of the theatre and even with how my place is going it's still more secure to stay in." He explained quietly, she nodded and spoke. 

"Then, we'll find out how to do this together." Sam walked in, she had been listening in on their conversation. She knows it wasn't good but after what she heard, she's going to ask her father about how much he knows. 

"Hey, guys. Do you need a lift?" She asked, Robby and Miraleigh shook their heads.

"Thank you though." Sam nodded and waved goodbye to the two as they walked out. They arrived at Robby's place, Miraleigh was reading a book and Robby was watching her read and make facial expressions. He found it adorable, smiling to himself at the thought. Eventually, Miraleigh had fallen asleep on the couch and Robby was preparing cereal with water for the two. He glanced at Miraleigh, smiling gently at her and then walked to the door as he heard a knock. He walked over, opening it slightly due to the chain. 

"Hey Robby." Mr. LaRusso said, 

"Hey." Robby stated and looked at him as he closed the door and then opened it up again. 

"Mr. LaRusso, what are you doing here?" Robby asked, blocking his view of the apartment. 

"Well, I could lie and say I was in the neighbourhood. Is your mum home?" Robby looked down, feeling upset and hurt. 

"Robby, look it's alright. Okay?" Robby looked at him with sad eyes, swallowing a lump in the back of his throat. 

"Is Miraleigh here with you?" Daniel asked, Robby nodded and looked back at the sleeping girl. 

"She got an eviction notice yesterday, I told her she could stay here with me." Robby explained, Daniel nodded and took both teens to his house. Got some dinner for them both and smiled as he watched them laugh and talk with Sam. 

"Those poor things. I can't believe they've been living by themselves" Amanda said to Daniel. 

"You know, we have the space. We can put a mattress in the guest room, I'm sure Sam would be fine sharing a room with Miraleigh. Just until we get some real furniture."

"Okay, slow down. Yes, obviously they can stay here tonight. But, if we're talking about long term. We have to talk to their parents." 

"I tried calling his mother, she's completely unreachable." 

"He has a father." Daniel sighed and nodded. 

"And Miraleigh?" 

"Her father is locked up, I called her mother. She doesn't want her, said it quite violently too." Amanda frowned, looking at the teens with sad eyes. She looked after them as Daniel went to talk to Johnny.