❝ i don't want to be your enemy. ❞

"THAT'S NOT TRUE," Mr. LaRusso said, shaking his head.

"I know it's not true because... I-I used to be a Cobra Kai."

Ayane raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"What?" She, Robby and Sam all asked at once, in disbelief.

Daniel took all of the students into the dojo. They all sat down, listening as he explained his short time in Cobra Kai.

Even by just listening to how he described it, Ayane didn't like it. She hated thinking about what Cobra Kai could be doing to Miguel.

"I'll admit," Daniel said, "Cobra Kai makes you feel stronger. Tougher. But it will also get you in trouble. And that's what happened to me. I'm just lucky Mr. Miyagi was willing to take me back."

Ayane picked at her thumbnail. Robby leaned over to her, saying, "I still don't trust them."

She pursed her lips, shaking her head in response.

"All that matters is that right now, today, we are all Miyagi-Do."

Bullshit, Ayane thought, biting her nails.

After most of the kids went home, Ayane stayed around to practice some more. Her back had not caused her any problems in almost a month, but it still had its moments.

She wanted to talk to Miguel, of course, but Ayane felt like he needed to initiate the conversation first this time. She had given him a lot to think about.

"Need a sparring partner?"

Ayane turned her head, seeing Robby walking out of the dojo.

She smiled a little, shrugging. "Yeah, sure. I could use someone to practice this hold on."

Robby approached her, facing Ayane. Before they began, he said, "Can I ask you a question?"

Ayane turned her head a little, narrowing her eyes. "I don't know... it's not about relationship stuff, is it?"

Robby smiled. "No, no. Well- sort of." He sighed. "How are you and Miguel still together? I mean- he's Cobra Kai and you're Miyagi-Do. That's not a problem for you?"

She dropped her arms after a moment, sighing. "Um, well- it can get a little frustrating sometimes. But Miguel- he doesn't mean any harm. I wish I could say the same for the rest of the Cobra Kais."

Robby nodded after a moment, folding his hands together.

"But- you don't think he's like the rest of them?"

Ayane laughed a little, shaking her head. "No, no. Definitely not. He's got good discernment."

I hope, she thought, then clearing the thought away.

To change the subject, she continued, "So what's with you and Sam?"

Robby's eyes went big for a moment. "Wh-what are you talking about-" he stammered, shaking his head.

Ayane smirked. "Come on, Robby. I've got two perfectly capable eyes. I can see that you like each other."

Scratching the back of his head, Robby replied, "Yeah well... I don't Sam feels exactly the same way."

Ayane tilted her head sideways. "Well... I see differently." She paused, then continued, "You want my advice? Make a move. You may get rejected, but you'll regret never doing anything later on."

Robby slowly smiled.

"Yeah. I guess you're right. Thanks, Ayane."

She nodded curtly. "Okay- now hold still while I put you in a chokehold."

Robby laughed.

"Whatever you say, miss sensei."

. . . .

LATER THAT NIGHT, Ayane received a text from Miguel.

She furrowed her eyebrows a little as she read the message, seeing that Miguel was telling her to come outside.

Ayane put on her shoes and walked out, finding Miguel waiting at the gate to Miyagi-Do.

"What are you doing here?" she asked rather warily. Ayane hoped no one else saw him, or they might think he was trying to sabotage to dojo or something.

Miguel clasped his hands together, drawing in a breath.

"I am here to... settle the dispute, so to speak."

Ayane arched an eyebrow, folding her arms. "Okay..." she replied slowly, "what exactly does that mean?"

Miguel smiled a little. "I've been thinking about what you said. You know, how you don't like Cobra Kai because of certain people."

"And a certain sensei," she added, then going quiet again.

He nodded. "Right. Well... as it turns out, Sensei Kreese really isn't that bad."

Ayane gave him a wild look. "Could you repeat that?"

Miguel sighed, holding his hands out.

"Ayane, I know how it sounds-"

"No, I don't think you do," she replied, staring at him with disbelief. "Miguel, I thought this was the one thing you sided with me on! How are you letting him get into your head, too?"

Miguel closed his eyes briefly, remaining calm.

"Look, please just hear me out. Please?"

Ayane swallowed, not replying so he could continue.

Miguel continued, "Sensei Lawrence is just... scattered, right now. And Kreese is really helpful, I just think- he might be a little off because he's old."

Ayane narrowed her eyes, not following. "Where are you going with this?"

"He suggested something to me today. And it could help settle this rivalry between the dojos."

She tapped her foot on the ground, thinking.

"What'd he suggest?" Ayane finally asked, huffing.

Miguel smiled slowly. "What if... you and me had this 'team' of our own? Not necessarily leaving our dojos, but- we work together to show everyone that there doesn't have to be so much tension."

Ayane chewed her lip. "And how do you suggest we do this?"

"Tomorrow morning," Miguel replied. "Sensei Kreese told me to ask you to come with me to Coyote Creek."

She looked at Miguel with an unreadable expression.

"Okay," Ayane finally said. "I don't trust Kreese, but- I trust you."

Miguel broke out into a grin. "Thank you. I'll come pick you up in the morning, so be ready."

"I'll be ready," Ayane nodded. She didn't know what to expect, but Ayane was going to show that she trusted Miguel.

"I'll definitely be ready."

. . . .

MIGUEL WAS WAITING FOR Ayane bright and early, just as he had said.

"Did it really have to be this early?" Ayane asked, getting into the car with Miguel.

"It's less hot in the morning," Miguel explained, putting a smile on his face. "Perk up, doll face."

Ayane shot him a look. "Did you just call me... doll face?"

Miguel smirked a little.

"It's true," he shrugged.

Ayane shook her head, laughing a little. "I guess I should apologize to Hawk," she said after a moment. "He's been a douche, but- I kinda have, too."

Miguel was kind of surprised by this.

"That's your choice," he replied. "But I do think it would help settle things a little."

Ayane sighed, getting out of the car at once. The two walked inside the Cobra Kai dojo together.

People's heads turned, and honestly most of them looked sick of seeing Ayane. She didn't blame them.

But Kreese smiled upon seeing her, walking over.

"Ah, look who's here. Class, today we're having a special guest. To go along with your... special training."

Ayane looked up at Kreese, mustering up a smile. She looked over at all the kids, seeing their glares.

Hawk and Tory were giving her the dirtiest looks, she noticed. Ayane smiled at them, though. She was trying to keep her cool today.

Just then, Johnny walked in the dojo.

"Seriously? Again?" he said, gesturing to Ayane.

"She's my guest," Kreese said with a tight smile to Johnny. "I've got something special planned for today."

Johnny frowned, approaching Kreese with a confused face. Kreese leaned over, whispering something to Johnny. Johnny made a face.

Ayane turned her head to Miguel, raising an eyebrow. He smiled reassuringly.

"It's up to Sensei Lawrence," Kreese said after a moment. "Then, and only then, is it okay."

Ayane wondered what the big deal about this 'Coyote Creek' was. As far as she knew, they were just going to fight in the woods.

"Alright, what are you waiting for? Let's go."

When they got there, Ayane got a text. It was from Robby, asking where she was. Ayane tried to reply but unfortunately, she didn't have any service.

Ayane ignored the message, for now.

Kreese walked over to Ayane and Miguel, handing them each white strips of cloth.

"These go on your head."

Not saying anything else, Kreese walked off.

Ayane and Miguel exchanged a look, shrugging and putting the headbands on.

Johnny gave a certain number of students black headbands, and Kreese gave the other students red headbands. Ayane was starting to catch on, now.

They divided the students so that they were face each other. Then, on the end, Ayane and Miguel stood next to each other.

"Gentlemen, ladies," Kreese spoke, walking between the lines, "welcome to Coyote Creek."

He looked around at all of them. "You've been split into three teams; red, black, and white."

The students all looked over at Ayane and Miguel, who were the only ones wearing white headbands.

"The goal is to catch as many headbands as possible from the other teams. With a twist."

Kreese paused, smiling. "Team white only has two members. However, if any of you can manage to get just one headband from their team, your whole team automatically wins."

Ayane folded her arms behind her, slowly beginning to smile.

"How do we get the headbands?" Miguel asked.

"By any means possible," Kreese replied, tilting his head upward. "No rules."

Ayane narrowed her eyes and smiled rather deviously. She looked at Tory, on team black.

Ayane couldn't wait to get her hands on her.

"Use your judgment," Johnny added, "this is just a training exercise."

"Correct, but remember," Kreese held the red headband out in front of him. "This is your lifeline. You lose it... you die."

Ayane looked at Miguel, smirking. "We're so gonna win this."

They seemed to be the primary targets, as when they all broke off, everyone began coming at them.

But Miguel and Ayane made a perfect duo. They had each other's backs and knew how to balance between offense and defense.

The two of them had collected both red and black headbands, counting to see who got more.

"Not fair," Ayane said, "that one kid practically surrendered to you."

Miguel shrugged, smirking. "Because I'm the best, and everyone knows it."

Ayane laughed sarcastically.

"The best, huh? How could you say that when I'm standing right here?"

Just then, they both saw a familiar red mohawk to their left, running by.

Ayane turned, ready to go after him, when someone from the opposite side said, "Hey!"

She turned. It was Tory.

"You go get Hawk," Ayane stepped around Miguel, not taking her eyes off of Tory. "I've got her."

Miguel hesitated. "Are you sure-"

"Just go," Ayane rolled her eyes, pushing him gently.

Tory walked closer to Ayane as Miguel ran off.

"Look at you," Tory scoffed, "you just can't pick a dojo, can you?"

Ayane remained unfazed by her words, crossing her arms.

"I was invited. That's what happens when you're as good a fighter as I am."

Tory took another step. "Don't make me laugh."

Tory swung at Ayane, but she blocked away Tory's strike and kicked her backwards.

"So what's this obsession you have with my boyfriend?" Ayane asked, dodging a side kick from Tory with ease.

Tory glared at her. "I'm not obsessed. I just think that Miguel would rather be with someone who actually knows him."

Ayane paused. "Bitch- what?"

Tory angrily rushed at Ayane, almost catching Ayane's midsection and tackling her. But Ayane moved out of the way, turning and kicking Tory in the back. Tory face planted in the dirt, letting out a frustrated yell.

"You think you know Miguel better than me?" Ayane asked as Tory got back on her feet.

Tory smirked. "I know I do. You're this rich bitch living it up, you've never known what it's like to have to fight for what's yours!"

Again, Tory charged Ayane. This time, Ayane did not move out of the way, but instead let Tory run right into her. Ayane grabbed Tory, using all of her strength to throw the girl on the ground.

Ayane put a knee on Tory's chest, looking down at her.

"Is that what you think? You think I don't know Miguel because of money?"

She laughed dryly. "Tory, honey- I hate to break it to you but, there's more that goes into a relationship than money. Who's more privileged. Believe me, I know I grew up rich. That doesn't mean it was all sunshine and rainbows."

Tory clawed at Ayane's leg, pushing down on her chest. "Boohoo," she spat. "Does the little rich girl have daddy issues or something?"

Ayane pushed her knee in further and Tory gagged a little. But Ayane closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.

Reaching down, she pulled the headband off of Tory's head and stood up, offering a hand to the girl.

"I don't want to be your enemy, Tory."

For a moment, Tory's face turned soft. She reached up for Ayane's hand, but instead flipped Ayane onto the ground and punched Ayane in the face.

"Screw you, rich bitch! You and the rest of Miyagi-Do can rot in hell."

Just as Tory was going to reach down and snatch the headband off of her head, someone kicked her hand away.

Ayane looked up, seeing that it was none other than Miguel. He helped Ayane to her feet, stepping away from Tory.

"Are you crazy?" he asked, shaking his head at her. "Ayane already got the headband. You're out."

Tory stood there, breathing heavily with anger. Ayane's lip was bleeding, she realized.

"This isn't over," Tory said, pointing at Ayane. "Count your days."

She walked off, leaving Ayane and Miguel. Miguel turned to Ayane at once, looking at her face.

"Are you okay?" he asked, wiping the blood away.

"I'm fine," Ayane said, her famous line. "Did you get Hawk?"

Miguel clenched his jaw for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah. And you don't owe him an apology anymore."

Ayane frowned. "What do you mean?"

Miguel shook his head. "Hawk's the one who trashed Miyagi-Do. And he's the one who took the Medal of Honor."

In his hand, Miguel revealed the medal to Ayane.

She shook her head, sighing.

"And you still don't believe me?"

Miguel gave her a look. "About what?"

Ayane met his eyes, shaking her head again.

"Never mind," she said, taking his hand.

"We have to celebrate our victory."

NOTES!
ayane's about to be in deep shit with mr. larusso, that's all i gotta say.......