Imagine Book 2 (Requests Welcome)

Training Day- Sam LaRusso (Cobra Kai)

As requested by Iceman6666! Male Y/N.

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Miyagi-Do dojo's courtyard as Sam LaRusso practised her forms. Sweat glistened on her forehead as she attempted the same complex move for what felt like the hundredth time. The circular kick-to-sweep combination kept eluding her, leaving her frustrated and increasingly determined.

"Come on," she muttered to herself, brushing a strand of hair from her face. The move was crucial for the upcoming All Valley, and she needed to master it. As she prepared to attempt it again, she heard familiar footsteps approaching from behind.

"Still at it?" Y/N asked, a warm smile playing across his face as he walked into the courtyard. He was wearing his usual training gear – a plain white gi with no affiliation patches. Having trained with both dojos, he preferred to remain neutral, something that had initially annoyed Sam but had gradually become one of the things she admired most about him.

Sam turned, grateful for the interruption. "Yeah, and failing miserably. I've been working on this combo for hours, but something's not clicking." She demonstrated the move again, her leg sweeping through the air in a graceful arc before attempting to transition into the floor sweep. Once again, she stumbled slightly on the landing.

"I can see where you're getting stuck," Y/N said, moving closer. "Mind if I help?"

"Please," Sam replied, throwing her hands up in mock surrender. "At this point, I'd take advice from a Cobra Kai white belt."

Y/N laughed, the sound echoing off the dojo walls. "Well, I'm definitely better than that, at least. Show me one more time, but slower."

Sam nodded, taking her stance. She moved through the technique at half-speed, feeling Y/N's analytical gaze following her movement. This time, she was even more aware of where she was losing her balance – right at the transition point between the kick and the sweep.

"Okay, I see it now," Y/N said, stepping closer. "You're thinking of these as two separate moves, but they need to flow together like water. Remember what Mr. LaRusso always says about Miyagi-Do?"

"'Be like water,'" Sam quoted, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. "Dad's always going on about that."

"Because he's right," Y/N responded, positioning himself beside her. "Watch me."

He demonstrated the move, and Sam's eyes widened as she saw how smoothly he transitioned between the two elements. Where she had been creating a distinct pause between the kick and sweep, his movements flowed seamlessly into each other.

"The key is in your hips," he explained, dropping back into his starting position. "You're resetting them after the kick, which is what's throwing off your balance. Instead, let the momentum of the kick carry you into the sweep."

Sam nodded, processing the information. "Show me again?"

Y/N performed the move once more, this time even slower. "See how my hips don't stop moving? It's one continuous motion, not two separate ones."

"I think I get it," Sam said, taking her position. "Like this?" She attempted the move, focusing on keeping her hip movement fluid. She still stumbled slightly, but it was noticeably better than before.

"Much better!" Y/N encouraged. "But here, let me..." He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Is it okay if I guide you through it?"

Sam felt a slight flutter in her stomach but nodded. "Yeah, of course."

Y/N moved behind her, his presence warm and reassuring. "Okay, start the kick," he said softly, his hands lightly touching her waist. "Now, as you complete it, let your hips..." He guided her movement, helping her feel how the transition should flow.

Sam's breath caught slightly at the contact, but she focused on the technique, letting Y/N's guidance help her understand the proper movement. They went through it several more times, his touch becoming lighter each time as she got a better feel for it.

"Ready to try it on your own?" he asked, stepping back.

Sam immediately missed the warmth of his presence but nodded determinedly. "Here goes nothing."

She took her stance, took a deep breath, and executed the move. This time, instead of fighting against her body's natural momentum, she let it flow. The kick transitioned smoothly into the sweep, and she completed the technique with perfect balance.

"I did it!" she exclaimed, spinning around to face Y/N. Her face was lit up with pure joy.

"That was perfect!" he said, grinning broadly. "See? You just needed to—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Sam had crossed the distance between them in two quick steps. Running on pure adrenaline and excitement, she grabbed the front of his gi and pulled him down into a kiss. Her lips met his with enthusiasm born of victory and something else that had been building between them for longer than either had admitted.

For a moment, Y/N stood frozen in surprise, but then his hands found their way to her waist again, this time pulling her closer as he returned the kiss. It was sweet and slightly salty from their workout, but perfect in its imperfection.

When they finally broke apart, both were slightly breathless, and not from training. Y/N's eyes were wide with surprise and happiness, a goofy smile spreading across his face.

"I... uh..." Sam started, suddenly feeling shy despite her bold move. "Thank you for the help with the technique."

Y/N laughed, the sound nervous but delighted. "If that's how you thank all your training partners, I should offer to help more often."

Sam playfully smacked his arm, but didn't move away from his embrace. "Don't push your luck. That was a one-time thank you for a very specific technique."

"Oh really?" Y/N raised an eyebrow, his confidence returning. "Because I know quite a few other advanced moves I could teach you."

Sam felt her cheeks flush but couldn't help smiling. "Maybe we should master this one first," she said, finally stepping back and taking her fighting stance again. "Want to see it one more time?"

"Show me what you've got, LaRusso," Y/N said, moving to give her space while unable to wipe the smile from his face.

Sam executed the move perfectly again, this time adding a little flourish at the end. As she came up from the sweep, she caught Y/N's eye and felt her heart skip a beat at the way he was looking at her – like she was both the strongest and most beautiful person he'd ever seen.

"You know," she said, walking back over to him, "Dad's probably going to kill me for kissing a guy in his dojo."

Y/N pretended to look concerned. "Should I start running now? I hear Mr. LaRusso's crane kick is legendary."

"Nah," Sam said, reaching for his hand. "I'll protect you. After all, you're my teacher now, remember?"

"Only for that one move," Y/N clarified quickly, lacing his fingers through hers. "You're still the sensei's daughter. You could probably kick my butt in a real match."

"Probably?" Sam raised an eyebrow. "Want to test that theory?"

Y/N's eyes sparkled with challenge. "You're on, LaRusso. But maybe we should establish the victory prize first?"

Sam pretended to think about it, then pulled him closer by their joined hands. "I'm sure we can figure something out," she said, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him again, softer this time.

The afternoon sun continued its descent, casting a golden glow over the courtyard as they began to spar, their movements flowing together like water, just as Mr. LaRusso had taught. Their laughter echoed through the dojo, mixing with the sounds of combat in a perfect harmony of friendship becoming something more.

Later, when Sam finally mastered three more advanced techniques (each with its own celebration), she couldn't help but think that this was exactly what her dad meant when he talked about finding balance in life. Sometimes, the best things happened when you stopped thinking so hard and just let yourself flow with the moment.

And if Y/N happened to need to show her that same kick combination again tomorrow... well, that was just good training technique, wasn't it?