Chapter 2: Building Tension
Kenna raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything, seemingly willing to give me a chance to prove myself. She launched another punch, this time at my chest. my open palm connected with her wrist pushing it aside. it was clear that hand not been the end goal of the attack but the sudden deflection surprised her and she with drew with a puzzled look.
"I know that technique. wing chun..." she said with a mix of surprise and confusion.
I nod, "Tan Sao."
"You said you hand no formal training but you know real skills and their names. what kind of game are you playing. you claim to use jujitsu but this is the second style I've seen you use. and you've mentioned 2 more? Stop bullshitting me.
I laugh, "I told you I learned from many places, but when it comes to formal training, I pride myself on being self-taught. But I will agree that I've picked up ideas and techniques from a variety of sources, friends, wherever I can find them. If I find something useful I integrate it." I added, as a half-truth. The truth being that most techniques I'd picked up, was instinctual and most, I didn't even realize I'd learned until I was using them.
Kenna eyes narrowed at my response, her suspicion clearly growing. She took an aggressive stance. "fine, time to make you feel threatened, so I can see what your made of." She hissed then sprang into action.
She barreled towards me, fists flying at blinding speed, less a deliberate attack and more a sheer onslaught. Her sprightly stature belied the power behind her punches, each stunning blow sending shockwaves through my body. I managed to dodge some, block some and defect but others clipped me, sending me stumbling backwards. She pushed herself relentlessly, each encounter testing my skills, my endurance, and my mental resolve.
With every exchange, my defenses grew stronger. I noticed the short reach and circular motions. I started to get her timing and could see an opportunity for some aikido.
With one punch she left herself open for just an instant too long - enough for me to step inside her range and execute an irimi nage throw by blending into her momentum and redirecting it over my hip into space behind me where she landed gracefully on her feet - albeit with a slight scowl on her face."Aikido is for pussies! if your going to counter don't just dance with me do something meaningful!"
she stuck in hard and fast taking me off guard, in that moment times slowed as my foot moved forward and to the side. Kouho. her fist was almost moving too fast and I knew it was a threat not a sparring strike with no power. my wait shifted and arrived at my new position, my other leg stepping behind her exposed side, Haiho. my arm followed through pushing flat against her breastbone and instantly she was hanging in mid air arching backward over my leg. my fist gripping her gi to prevent her from hitting the mat hard.
"your stepping method?" She asked astonished as she righted herself and came back to her feet.
Her breath came fast but there was no mistaking the admiration in her eyes now mixed with embarrassment at being exposed by someone without formal training."You can actually fight," she admitted grudgingly before shaking off the surprise and regaining some composure."I guess that explains why you didn't seem threatened earlier." She added wryly trying to downplay how impressed she was by what she saw."Thanks for not breaking my face," she said as she caught her breath.
I studied her as she straighten her gi, "I didn't want to hurt you. I just reacted that last strike wasn't friendly, but... I manage to regain control in time."
This provoked an unexpected laugh from Kenna."That's probably true. I can be a bit of a hot head some times and you were frustrating the hell out of me." Kenna grinned sheepishly as she adjusted her twin-tails into place behind each ear before turning back towards me with an impish grin spreading across her face."So where did you learn all this?" She asked curiously as she gestured towards me with an open hand palm upwards indicating all that we had just done together on the mats.
"Well like I said before most of what I learned came from people around me while growing up," I explained casually as we both made our way towards the changing rooms."My father taught me most of what he knew before he passed away when I was 16," My tone turned somber at the memory before quickly shifting back to lightheartedness,"He always said 'A warrior must be adaptable like water.' So when life threw something new at us we found ways to incorporate it into our lives."
Kenna listened intently nodding along as we walked."Ah a fan of Bruce Lee," She said thoughtfully,"But how did your dad learn all this? Surely not all from kung fu movies." Kenna asked suddenly curious about this mysterious martial art UDAK.
"Nothing too fancy, I guess there is a heritage of being fighters in my family but most of what he taught me was more principal then practice. not technique but elements in good technique. plus some tricks her learned as security police in Vietnam.
He once told me 'There are no rules in combat other than survival.' That stuck with me more than any technique or form ever did," I explained as we reached the changing rooms doorstep where Kenna leaned against the wall crossing her arms over her chest drawing attention to her ample cleavage despite herself or perhaps because of it given how often she is objectified by those who don’t see past that part of her persona. I turned away embarrassed by my arousal as she smirked noticing a weakness.
"Anyway...uhm.. You mentioned your father taught you some things from his time in Vietnam?
What exactly did you mean by 'tricks?'" Kenna asked curiously her gaze searching mine for any sign of insincerity or exaggeration.
"He taught me things about control," I replied thoughtfully,"But also about understanding your opponent physically," My voice lowered slightly,"And psychology."
Kenna raised her eyebrows intrigued,"Like profiling?" she asked,"You know what they say about assumptions right?" she added smirking playfully.
"No not exactly," I said shaking my head,"More like understanding how people move based on their personality type, and what their body language says about their intentions."
Kenna nodded slowly considering what I had just said before asking,"So like reading people?
"You could stay that, in combat, people tend to be pretty straight forward. only high fighters use deception in a street fight. often times once I've gauged a person it's like I can see the whole fight play out before it happens... your actually the first person to land a punch on me in as long as I can remember. it was impressive as hell!" I conceded with genuine admiration.
Your skills are impressive indeed," Kenna said softly after considering my words for a moment., Her eyes scanned mine searchingly before dropping slightly indicating perhaps some vulnerability beneath that tough exterior. "So tell me about yourself James, What brings you here today?"
Her tone held genuine curiosity, Despite our sparring session there seemed now space between us where there once was tension. We stood there casually leaning against opposite walls, The dim lighting casting long shadows across our faces, Our breaths easing into syncopated rhythms.
"Control." my head drooped in contrition. "my father tried to teach it to me, but... I always fight in anger... I hate hurting people but I can't square my need to survive with my desire to not hurt others. I just my school years were violent and I thought it would end after I graduated but it only got worse. I had to move... I was afraid... of what might happen if someone pushed me too far. I need control!" My voice taking on a desperate pleading tone.
Somehow standing here with Kenna made me feel like someone understood - truly understood - what drove me even if they didn’t approve of it all.” Her stance softened slightly as if letting down some barrier between us allowing our conversation deeper intimacy than our sparring session had permitted thus far.
"Most people don’t understand,” She finally responded softly letting out sigh before speaking again. ”They judge without knowing anything about someone else’s life or struggles.” Her words spoken almost wistfully made me feel like there might be more behind them than just sympathy for strangers.
”What about you?” I asked curiously sensing an opening where there might be mutual understanding.” Why did you become such an accomplished fighter?”
The question seemed innocuous enough yet brought forth immediate tension tightening Kenna’s frame visibly even through her casual stance. "I wasn't always a martial artist." she let out a joyless laugh, "I used to be a dancer. the studio I went to share space with a dojo. One night after class I was in the parking lot as some guys blocked me from getting to my car... I never danced again. I had to learn to defend myself." Her voice barely above whisper now carrying pain echoes from past events perhaps long hidden under layers self-control determination.
Those words hung heavy between us like thick smoke filling every corner silence becoming almost tangible. I didn't even realize my fists had clenched my rage building, but she stepped forward placing a gentle hand on my chest soothing me back from the edge.
"They made me feel weak," she whispered hoarsely, "I couldn't stop them or protect myself... I couldn't fight back... I was just another helpless girl," Tears welled up in Kenna's eyes shimmering under the harsh fluorescent lights casting broken shadows across us both reflecting our shattered pasts. "I promised myself that night that no one would ever make me feel that way again... thank you, James. you might not realize it but I saw your instinct to protect me. such a simple thing but it gave me back a little trust in men. trust I lost long ago."
Kenna whispered softly tears brimming over now spilling down soft pink cheeks leaving glistening trails amidst freckles scattered across fair skin like constellations scattered across night sky offering guidance through darkest nights. She looked up at James meeting his gaze steadily despite vulnerability evident within those emerald depths . In that moment nothing else mattered - only two souls sharing pain connecting through understanding born from similar scars. "I understand issues with control, I've battled then since that night and I can help you with your battles. in the street it may be all about survival but here you can learn centering, balance and control."