Always Been You- Eli Moskowitz

Chapter 17- On My Team

"To lead people,

Walk behind them."

-Lao Tzu

~~*~~

It had been a few days since the dojo shakedown and Johnny was expected to return that day. They all stood around the dojo in their regular work out clothes as he walked inside and made his way to the office.

The twins walked up to him as soon as they saw him.

"Hey sensei, were sorry about your loss," Miguel said.

"Thanks," Johnny replied sadly.

"So how was the funeral?" Michelle asked him.

"As good as any funeral can be," Johnny said. Michelle nodded softly and put her hand on his shoulder in understanding. Without another word, she walked away to talk to Tory, leaving Miguel to talk to Johnny alone.

"I'm really glad Johnny is back," Michelle said while stretching her leg.

"Me too. But i also like sensei Kreese. I hope they can work together," Tory replied.

Michelle nodded in response. Of course, she loved Johnny. He taught her everything she knew, but he was holding back and she knew that they needed Kreese to teach them what Johnny wouldn't.

Miguel, Eli and Aisha walked up to the two girls and continued to stretch.

"So what do you think the training in the woods will be?" Eli asked the group.

"I don't know but i hope we don't see any snakes," Aisha replied.

"Or spiders," Michelle added with a shiver. Tory nodded her head quickly and made a grossed out face which Michelle reciprocated. The group laughed at their reactions as Johnny and Kreese came out of the office.

"Everybody get your gi's on. Training starts in five minutes," Johnny said. Everyone looked around at each other confused.

"Yeah, whats wrong?" He asked in response to the confusion.

"Nothings wrong. I just thought we were going to the woods for a special training today," Miguel replied.

"What's happening in the woods?" Johnny asked.

Well, i thought it was a good time to separate the men form the boys. And the girls too i suppose," Kreese said.

"How?"

"Coyote Creek."

"I'm not sure they're ready for that," Johnny said.

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

"We're ready sensei. We wanna prove ourselves," Eli said from beside the twins.

"Its up to sensei Lawrence. If he says its okay, then and only then, is it ok," Kreese said to the group.

Johnny thought hard for a second. He looked around at the group of his students who all looked excited and eager to do this training.