Hot For Sensei

Chapter Sixty-Five

Two days later, everyone was at Miyagi-Do for a session since karate was finally back on. Johnny had filled Miguel, Ivy and Eli in on Daniel's Eagle Fang training, and it was as annoying to Ivy as it was hilarious. Apparently, Johnny had put Daniel through a rigorous workout at the warehouse and then tricked him into a fight at a hockey game. Ivy was skeptical of his methods, as usual, but Johnny had assured her that the training was beneficial, and Daniel did look fine today.

Eagle Fang moved to the deck to join Miyagi-Do, expecting to work on finishing it, only to see that it was already done. They filed in with the others, confused.

"I thought finishing up the deck was going to be a part of our next lesson?" Miguel asked Daniel as he passed by.

"It was." Daniel shrugged, "But your Sensei took it upon himself to finish it on his own."

"Sounds like him." Ivy crossed her arms with a nod, "Handywork is his meditation."

"Really?" Daniel gave her a look that was genuinely interested, "I didn't think he was capable of meditating."

"Johnny's capable of anything when given the right angle." Ivy smiled.

Daniel smiled back, moving to join Johnny on the deck. They faced each other and bowed, then faced the students and gestured for them to get in their fighting stances. The students let out a rough bark as they complied.

Daniel called Sam up onto the deck, and Johnny moved out of the way as the two began to demonstrate some fundamentals of Miyagi-Do. Their movements were precise and reactive, and although Ivy could see the value of their moves, she still struggled to pay attention. Trained in Cobra Kai and then Eagle Fang, Miyagi-Do was always going to look like an overcomplicated dance to her.

Johnny hopped up with Miguel next, and Ivy watched them excitedly. This was the karate she loved, rough and intense, the kind of approach that got shit done. Sam and Daniel were nodding next to her as they watched, carefully taking in their moves and considering their worth. Ivy knew that Sam was already fully committed to learning the Eagle Fang offense, but she felt like Daniel still needed some convincing.

After the Eagle Fang display, Miguel traded places with Daniel as Johnny put on some umpire gear. Johnny gave a signal, and Daniel rushed at him with a flurry of punches to his torso and chest. Johnny encouraged him to be more aggressive, and Daniel tried out some offensive moves, mixing them with his characteristic preciseness. Ivy saw a smile spread across his lips then, and she knew that Daniel was finally getting it.

They bowed to each other, and Johnny tossed the umpire gear to Daniel, waiting for him to put it on. Daniel gave him a nod, and Johnny moved to try some Miyagi-Do tactics. Ivy noticed he was struggling, as he was used to being blood thirsty and in your face, but she was happy that he was at least trying. Suddenly, Johnny took a step back and got into a crane kick stance that Daniel didn't find very funny. He threw the umpire gear off with a shake of his head, but he didn't seem to be too mad.

"Alright, snack break!" Daniel instructed as he hopped down from the deck, "Take twenty!"

The students dispersed, grabbing their food before scattering in groups around the outside Dojo to eat. Ivy sat with Eli, Miguel, Sam and Dimitri near the koi pond, and they snacked on beef jerky, cheese sticks, water and sushi.

"I can't believe Johnny almost used a crane kick on Mr. LaRusso." Miguel let out a laugh as he munched on some cheese.

"Is that what that stance was?" Ivy asked, pausing to rip through some beef jerky with her teeth, "Why would Daniel be mad about that?"