can you keep a secret??-tory nichols

vii. lull

Standing in the dojo in their normal attire, the students of Cobra Kai tried to loosen themselves up as they awaited word for that day's training. Quickly, Miguel and Isabella spotted Johnny walking in, the first time the three had seen each other since Johnny had shared news of his friend's death. The two approached their sensei cautiously, unsure of how he was grieving.

"Hey, Sensei, we're sorry about your loss." Isabella muttered, a solemn look on her face.

"Thanks." He responded mindlessly.

"So, how was the funeral?" Miguel chimed in, noticing the lack of interest on Johnny's part.

"As good as any funeral can be. So how'd it go around here while I was gone?"

"Sensei Kreese is..." Isabella paused momentarily to find the right word to use, but she couldn't find it. Something about Kreese, as she so eloquently put it, tickled her the wrong way.

"Tough." Miguel finished for his twin. "But he knows what it takes to win."

"All right." Johnny patted Miguel on the shoulder. "You guys get ready, I'm gonna go catch up with Kreese."

XXX

After a short, calm conversation between the senseis, they returned to the main training room, everybody still standing in their normal clothes. "Everybody get your gis on. Training starts in five minutes." The group of teens shared confused looks, recalling the talk about a 'special training lesson' Kreese had promised them. "Yeah, what's wrong?"

"N-n-nothing's wrong." Miguel stuttered. "I just thought we were going to the woods for a special training today."

Being kept out of the loop, Johnny turned to Kreese and back to the students, extremely confused. "What's happening in the woods?"

"Well, I thought it was a good time to separate the men from the boys." Obnoxiously, Isabella cleared her throat. "And the women from the girls, I suppose."

"How?"

"Coyote Creek."

Cautiously, Johnny turned towards Kreese. "I'm not sure they're ready for that."

Kreese shrugged. "There's only one way to find out."

"We're ready Sensei. We wanna prove ourselves." Hawk insisted.

"It's up to Sensei Lawrence. If he says it's okay, then, and only then, is it okay."

"All right, what are you waiting for?" Johnny asked his students. "Let's go."

XXX

"Gentlemen, ladies. Welcome to Coyote Creek." Kreese smirked as he stood in between the divided teams, half with black headbands, half with red headbands, both with the determination to win whatever challenge this was. "You've been split into two teams. Red and black. The goal is to capture as many headbands as possible from the other side. Today, the people across from you are not your friends." Aisha stood across from Tory and Isabella, the three shooting each other intimidating, yet understanding looks. "They're not your brothers. They are the enemy. The last team standing wins."

"How do we get the headbands?" Miguel questioned.

"By any means possible. No rules." Kreese stated the pre-rehearsed answer.

Johnny finally stepped in, unsure of the extremity of Kreese's directions. "Use your judgment. This is just a training exercise."

"Correct, but remember," Kreese held up a red headband. "This is your life. You lose it...you die."