Hot For Sensei

Chapter Sixty-Six

Ivy met Eli at Miyagi-Do the next morning and filled him in on what happened at the family dinner, including Miguel's blunder and their Miyagi-Do training plans. Like Ivy, Eli wasn't thrilled, but he seemed to be less annoyed than she was about it.

When everyone was there, the Miyagi-Dos piled into Johnny's van and Sam's car and left, but not before Miguel gave Sam a kiss for good luck. Daniel, not quite ready to start, sent the Eagle Fangs to the outside Dojo to stretch. They moved lazily and got into position, and Ivy could tell right away that Miguel was still upset from the night before.

"Come on, dude, you spilled a glass of wine." Eli tried to cheer him up, noticing too, "So what?"

"I don't know, man. Should have heard the way Mr. LaRusso was talking about Sam's future." Miguel sighed, "I can't even afford a car, let alone college."

"I told you you didn't have to worry about that." Ivy bent to touch her toes.

"I know, but I haven't accepted yet." Miguel reached up to stretch his arms, "Besides, what if they start to think I'm not good enough for her?"

"Dude!" Eli scoffed, "You're El Serpiente, All-Valley Champion! Just, show Mr. LaRusso what you're made of. I know you're gonna crush whatever he throws at us today."

Miguel smiled at the encouragement and Ivy watched Eli in admiration. She would do anything for Miguel, but she knew that there were some things she couldn't do or understand, so she was thankful that Eli was there to fill that gap. Sometimes you just needed to hear it from your bro.

"Yeah, compared to Sensei Lawrence's training, today's gonna be a vacation!" Mitch chimed in.

"Shut up, penis breath." Ivy shot him a glare as the others laughed.

"Who's going on vacation?" Daniel suddenly appeared.

"Uh, no one." Miguel covered for everyone, "What do you got for us today, Mr. LaRusso?"

"Come here." Daniel motioned with an excited smile, and they followed, "Now, I know you've all been taught to strike first. But what do you do when your opponent is faster than you?"

Daniel pointed an expectant finger at the teens as he perched on the rocks of the koi pond.

"Are those real?" Mitch asked curiously.

"They sure are." Daniel's smile widened, "Today's lesson is simple: catch a fish. And since I know you Eagle Fangs like a little competition, we're going to make it interesting. So the first to succeed will have the honor of leading class all week!"

The teens looked to each other with grimaces and eyerolls, not at all impressed by the prize, and Daniel caught that.

"And!" he added, "You also get to pick out what flavor Gatorade I buy next."

"Awe, hell yeah!" Mitch whooped, "Hope you all like glacial freeze!"

"Great, where are the rods?" Miguel asked, eager to prove himself.

"They're back in my garage. Your bare hands are all you'll use, and all you'll need." Daniel explained, holding up his own hands, "On your mark...get set...go!"

Daniel moved to the side as the teens rushed to find places around the koi pond. At first, Ivy was mesmerized by the beauty of it. The foliage was a deep, rich green, and the sun shimmered over the water, sparkling off of the koi's red and copper scales, making everything around them glitter. But then she heard hands dip into the water, and she was reminded of her task. The teens shot their hands in at the fish, filling the area with loud and sloppy splashes. Ivy cursed the noise, knowing that silence was the key to catching a fish. Biting her lip, she eyed up a pretty gold koi that was drifting towards her, and when it got close enough, she struck. Her fingers brushed over its scales, and it skidded away frantically.