This Will Never Be Over: A Cobra Kai Fanfic

Episode 12: Scarred

"...Then, Miguel asked Hawk to take the picture of them all standing there soaking wet," Sam smiled thoughtfully.

"Oh, my god," Kira laughed, pointing at one of the many pictures in Sam's photo album. "Mr. and Mrs. Keene look so pissed off here... and is that Kieth's dad with them?!"

The two were still in Sam's apartment, sitting on a beat-up sofa, looking through old pictures she'd kept of her Miyagi-Fang days.

"Uh-huh."

"God, he looks like a wet rat!" Kira exclaimed happily.

"So, like his son does everyday?" Sam smirked.

"Yeah. And that's being too nice."

"Haven't been accused of that in... I don't know how long," Sam raised her eyebrow. "But I'll take it."

"Seriously?" Kira frowned.

"...I take a while to get used to," Sam shrugged.

"Only 'cause other people are idiots," Kira replied. "They can't realize who you really are. People need to look deeper than what's on the surface."

"Eh. It's better they don't," said Sam, nonchalantly. "If people expect nothing of you, your potential is limitless. But if they expect perfection, all you can do is fail. Look at the Cobras. They thought all of you would be an easy kill and we know how that turned out."

"...I guess you're right," Kira said, with a slight grin. "I never thought of it that way. Is that why Miguel did the sprinkler trick?"

"No," Sam replied. "That was only a few months after he got out the hospital. He was still having some issues about fighting anyone. He even walked out of his match at that year's All-Valley, after a scare involving his back. And who could blame him? He was in a coma for weeks and paralyzed for longer."

"Because of what Mr. Keene did at the massacre?" Kira asked.

"...Yeah."

"That must've been awful," Kira shivered.

"It was. For all of us. I spent years replaying that one moment in my mind, trying to figure out if there was anyway he could've softened the fall."

"Did you?"

"Not really," Sam replied. "But I found something better."

"Really? What?" Kira's eyes widened.

"Let me show you," Sam smiled.

*****

"Can you show me again?" Brandon asked.

Him and Demetri were still at the Okinawan-Blade dojo, the sun having fully set. Demetri was trying teach the boy how to do a proper crescent-kick before transitioning to a spin-kick. They were making progress, not much granted, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Let alone half of one.

"No problem, first you —"

Demetri's words died in his mouth as the bells stationed at the dojo's front door sounded off and Robby Keene marched through.

"Where's Sam?" Robby asked, his brows furrowed and jaw clenched.

Which is never a good sign, thought Demetri.

"Sensei Sam isn't here, Uncle Robby," Brandon frowned. "Is everything okay?"

"Nothing that concerns you," Robby replied before turning his attention back to Demetri. "I need to speak to Sam. It's important."

"...Brandon, I think that's enough training for today," Demetri sighed.

"But, Sensei —!"

"It's alright," Demetri smiled, warmly. "We'll pick back up tomorrow afternoon after the regular sessions end. Okay?"