James is a reformed street fighter that misses the thrill of combat. He decides join a dojo and meets Kenna the head instructor. she is initially cold and skeptical about his motives and stated skills and resolves to test him in a sparring match.

Chapter 1: Introduction

The smell of pine cleaner and worn wood flooded my nostrils as I pushed open the door to the dojo. I had a habit of letting my gaze slide over the place, taking a quick flow of a new environment and the energy of its occupants. My shoes echoing off the thick mats that lined the training area. I step harder to gauge the give of the mats. Hard but better then wood. Clearly this dojo intends for a hard landing to teach a lesson I thought.

I had expected to find a class in session but the room was empty. I called out to see if anyone was there and a shadow shifted in the corner of the room. A woman stepped out from the shadows, her hands casually resting on her hips. Kenna. She wore a gi, slightly oversized on her petite frame, the white fabric doing little to hide her ample curves. Her fiery red hair was styled in twin-tails, a sharp contrast to her cold demeanor.

She approached in an offset pass as if sizing up an enemy. This was something I was not unaccustomed to but her eyes where harder and more unforgiving then more of my opponents in the past. To see that look in the eyes of a stranger was unnerving. I decided humors was called for, "The sign said jujitsu but by the way you materialized from that shadow I would think you were a ninja."

Kenna offers a smirk, but her eyes stay firm, "what wrong with Ninjitsu?" she asks, a defensive tease woven into her words.

"Oh nothing really. There is something to be said for being willing to do whatever is required for victory, but I prefer a straight up fight." I say instinctively shift to face her while circling away.

"If all you want is to get punched in the face I can do that but the is a boxing gym a few blocks down." She says, her voice dismissive.

"I've boxed with friends but it's not really my style. I'm a bit of a reformed street fighter. I have learned a bit from several styles but my own style is most similar to jujitsu with a bit of kenpo for range.

"I favor flexibility and adaptation as opposed to brute strength and size. It requires control and and patience to do well, or in my case more than my share of experience."

I notice a slight widening of Kenna's eyes, a glimmer of interest behind her hardness. "You know jujitsu?" she asks.

I shake my head, "Only a vague sense of it, and the flavor of having it poorly used against me. I've never had formal training in any martial art. Aside from what my dad taught me anyway. He called it UDAK but I've never met anyone that has heard of UDAK before." I add, trying to gauge her interest.

"I would never demean techniques a father felt worth to pass on though I've never heard of UDAK. Based on you're footwork it must have a emphasis on reading and countering your opponent. You match me even while changing direction and speed as if your anticipating my movements." Kenna's voice was softer but still carried an undercurrent of skepticism.

She looked me over, her gaze dissecting my every move, scrutinizing my technique from the ground up. "UDAK, huh? I've never heard of it. I'm not surprised, though—not everyone knows about the more obscure martial arts. But, if you really want to learn jujitsu, then you'll need to show me what you can do. Show me what you consider your most effective technique."

I thought for a moment, "well I have a punch combo that has served me well, but If we're talking most effective" I chuckle, "If I showed you it might look a bit silly."

"Hey, if its effective I don't care what it looks like." Kenna says dismissively.

I raise an eyebrow "its not something I can just pull out anytime or I'd show you already to get past your skepticism."

I watch her for a moment, seeing the slightest flicker of agitation in her eyes. Her gaze never wavers from me, I guess she doesn't like being challenged.

"Fine, lets do it."

I shifted my foot right and back with my toes pointing inward than rapidly shift my weight to it, changing to the new position, having rotated away from the step 45°. The stand square again. "that's it."

Kenna cocked her head, gazing at me as if trying to unravel the mystery hidden within the dance I had just performed. The 'Stepping Method' as I called it was a footwork technique I developed over the years that allowed me to dodge incoming attacks and move into my opponent's exposed side, all without missing a beat. It was not a showy technique, but in close quarters combat it was invaluable.

"That's impressive," She said, nodding slowly. "You say you developed it? If it works as advertised that would be quite useful,but I'd need to see it in practical use before making judgments about it. Show me."

Kenna said with a slight smirk. I returned her smirk with one of my own. "In order to demonstrate the Stepping Method properly, I would need a partner." I responded, testing the waters to see if she was willing to participate.

Kenna frowned at my response, "Fine, we'll do it slow at first. I will attack you and you will dodge and counter. Show me what you've got."

"Actually, the harder you come at me the better it works." I kicked off my shoes and move to the center mat.

Kenna follows suit and steps into a ready stance, her hands clenched into tight fists, her eyes focused and intense. I adopt a similar stance but lower and with palms open. "for a simple demonstration, hit me with a right cross." I instruct, holding my ground.

Kenna hesitates for a moment, suspicion evident in her gaze, but then she nods, and her eyes narrow. Her right arm whips forward in a swift arc, aimed straight at my head.

As I move, it's clear my previous demonstration lacked a certain level of nuance as instinct takes over and I not only pivot out of the way but also rotate to face her in one fluid motion.

I see the surprise in Kenna's eyes as I dodge her punch easily, but she recovers quickly and resets herself. "So, you can dodge a punch you know is coming. I would pretend that it didn't save you but you won't win a fight with that, in the dojo and much less so in the street. you're holding back."

My smile widens, "Really? I could have dipped you like a ballroom dancer." I say with a laugh."But yeah, I did hold back. for me, fighting is largely instinctual and frankly I didn't feel threatened, but if you think you can push me to that point..." I retake my stance, and turn my palm up beckoning her with my fingers, "Come at me."