STARCROSSED: Anthony LaRusso (ON A HIATUS)

Chapter XVIII: My Two Karate Students

A/N: The title is a reference to "My Two Dads," a sitcom that aired in the late 80s. Since Johnny Lawrence knows a lot about that decade, it's safe to say that he might know that show. The "Karate Students," are Miguel and Julia, who are bonding with Daniel LaRusso, Johnny's former rival.

♪ "Well, it's not far down to paradise ♪ ♪ At least it's not for me ♪ ♪ And if the wind is right You can sail away ♪ ♪ Find tranquility" ♪ Daniel was singing a song in the car radio, while he, Miguel, and Julia were driving to the party.

"This is pretty smooth. Who is this?" Miguel asked.

"Oh, that's Christopher Cross. He was huge in the '80s." Daniel explained.

"I'm surprised Sensei didn't tell me about him." Miguel told Daniel.

"Yeah, well, not everything from the '80s was hard rock. There were some soft rock songs that were just perfect. Michael McDonald, Billy Joel, Chicago..." Daniel explained.

"Who's Chicago?" Julia asked.

"I'm gonna pretend you didn't say that. It's a yellow light." Daniel noticed the traffic light turning yellow, but Miguel kept driving.

"When you see a yellow light you're supposed to slow down." Daniel reminded Miguel.

"Uh, sorry. Usually with Sensei Lawrence we kind of..." Miguel explained, but was cut off by Daniel. "It doesn't matter what he does. If you're driving with my daughter, you take the extra precautions." Daniel warned Miguel not to follow his usual sensei's antics. "Uh, yes. You're right. Uh, I'm sorry." Miguel apologized.

"I was pretty shaky at first too. Most of the kids my age had their dads teach them. But for me, well, lucky I met Mr. Miyagi. He made me realize that just because I didn't have a dad didn't mean there wasn't someone who could fill that role." Daniel explained.

"The sad part is I have a dad." Miguel told Daniel, who asked "You ever see him?"

Miguel answered, "I don't know much about him. He got caught up with something illegal. My mom was pregnant and tried to get him to stop and he wouldn't. That's why Mom and Yaya moved up here. I looked him up. It says he lives in Mexico now. I haven't told my mom though. She gets mad whenever I bring him up."

This reminded Daniel of something. "Miguel, I hated my mom for moving us to LA. I thought she was only thinking for herself. But, as I got older, I realized she was doing it all for me. She wasn't just looking for a new career. She was looking for a better life. Sounds like that's what your mom did. It may not seem brave, but sometimes avoiding conflict is one of the most heroic things a person can do."