Playing With Fire (Terry Silver)

Chapter Fourteen

"When I look around today, I see the future. Now, it's not secret our past has been flawed. Sensei Kreese fell victim to his demons. But John Kreese is not Cobra Kai."
Terry announces to his students. Today was the first day back or the flagship dojo with all of the new recruits. Amara tensed up hearing Terry say this. Cobra Kai was John Kreese and it would be nothing without him.
"We are. We've already shown we're champions. But that championship is merely a springboard to new heights. That's why I've brought in some of the finest Sensei's in the Valley. Consider this their job interview."
Terry said, motioning to the new Sensei's in the dojo. Amara couldn't help but notice that Tory didn't show up to class today. She was starting to get worried about her.

"The Sensei's will instruct you. Let's see what they know."
Terry instructs before dismissing the students. A Sensei wearing a blue gi was coming over towards Amara however, an Asian Sensei wearing a white gi put a hand in front of his chest and stopped him.
"Hai."
He walks over to Amara,
"So, you are a strong fighter. Yeah?"
He asks her and Amara nods,
"Yes, sir."
She answers and he nods,
"Good. Then I will not go easy on you."
He says, Amara smirks.

They set up a dummy and Amara began showing some of her kicks and punches. Amara was a bit distracted with everything going on. She couldn't believe that Terry would say such a thing about Kreese. And she was worried that Tory didn't show up to class today. First Robby quits, Piper quits, and she's hoping that Tory isn't next.

Amara grunts throwing another sluggish roundhouse kick. The Sensei is disappointed and puts the kicking pad down in frustration.
"No."
He scoffs,
"You are better than this."
"How would you know? You've never seen me fight."
Amara scoffs back, annoyed. She didn't have to prove anything to this guy. He wasn't her Sensei.
"It is obvious. Your are troubled. Maybe you do not want to train anymore now that your dojo is champion."
He accuses her
"No. I don't just fight for a trophy. I want to be strong and defend what's mine."
Amara retorts. The Sensei shakes his head in approval,
"Good reasons."
He says, Amara is curious now.
"What about you? Why be a Sensei?"
He takes a deep breath,
"Honour."
Amara stares at him momentarily, waiting for him to say something else, but he never does. Amara furrows her eyebrows,
"That's it?"
She asks, not trying to be rude but it definitely came off as judgemental. Although, luckily for Amara, the Sensei didn't seem to take much offence,
"That is everything. I thought I had lost my honour. Eventually, I understood. No one can take honour from you. Only you can take honour from yourself."
Amara nods in understanding. This guy was pretty good.

"How's it going here, Sensei—"
Terry's voice appears, he forgets his name. Amara remembers that she didn't even ask this Sensei his name. She kind of shakes her head at that.
"Jokichi Tatsuya. Everyone calls me Joe."
He bows.
"Sensei Joe, what are you working on with Kreese, here?"
Sensei Joe turns towards Amara,
"First train mind. Then train body."
He says.

Terry can't help but notice the look on Sensei Joe's face when he calls Amara, Kreese.
"Don't let me interrupt."
He says, motioning for Sensei Joe to turn back towards Amara. Terry plans to have Michael look into this Sensei Joe.

"If you want to break free of troubles, you must face them directly."
Amara gives Joe a slight nod.
"Now, focus."
He says, holding up the kicking pad.
"Center. Breathe. Attack!"
He shouts and Amara does a perfect roundhouse.
"Yes!"
He cheers and nods while looking her in the eyes.
"Nice work, Kreese."
Terry praises her from the side. Amara just gives him a glare. She was not happy with him after what he said about Kreese.

Sensei Joe drops the kicking pad on the floor and demonstrates a move on the dummy next to them.
"Now like this."
He grunts and kicks the side of the dummy, hits it in the chest, grabs it's throat and punches it in the face. This peaks Terry's interest,
"You know Tang Soo Do."
Terry takes a step closer to this Sensei Joe.
"Mhmm."
He says
"Where are you from exactly, Sensei Joe?"
Terry asks
"Kyoto."
He answers
"Ah, beautiful. I've always love the Fushimi Inari Shrine."
Joe shakes his head,
"Too many tourists. Nanzen-Ji Temple, much better for your next visit."
He smiles, Terry grins at him and nods, then motions for the two to continue practicing before walking off.