Dedicated to @AbbyWatson4, @Robby2Keene, and @Billyshowwalterss for their kind support!

"Did I really have to come here?" moaned Anthony as he and Daniel stepped out of their black Audi and onto a dirt road.

It was unusual for his dad to be taking him anywhere, nonetheless on a school day. Not that Anthony was really complaining considering school hadn't been all that interesting anyway recently.

Okay, technically, it's been a little too "interesting."

"I just needed some help gathering what's still usable from this place," answered Daniel, gesturing towards the shabby building standing stoutly in front of them.

Anthony could immediately feel the itchy sensation of sand between his sandaled feet as he looked out on the nearly leveled Miyagi-Do dojo. He hadn't spent too much time at the dojo (equally because I, nor they, wanted me to be here) but still, it was disheartening to see such a beautiful place destroyed so violently.

I guess that's what happens when you start a karate war with your childhood bully.

"Surprised you didn't just ask Sam for help. Was she too busy with her new boyfriend?" remarked Anthony, teasingly.

"No, it doesn't have anything to do with that, thank God. I just wanted to spend some father-son time together," replied Daniel, eagerly.

Yeah, mom definitely told him about our conversation at the hospital. There's no way he'd be spending time with me otherwise.

"Whatever," shrugged Anthony before heading off towards the farthest corner of the wooden remains.

He ran his hands over what would seem like dirt, if not for its distinct charred smell. The small chunks of splintered wood were flat and rigid.

"What am I supposed to be looking for anyway?" shouted Anthony across the lot as he stood back up, dusting the palms of his hands off extensively.

"Anything from Japanese hand drums to ancient scrolls," Daniel called back, vaguely.

So basically, he brought me here for clean-up duty, got it.

Anthony rolled his eyes agitatedly before returning to search in the pile.

After about an hour of looking, he only found one interesting thing throughout a quarter of the lot that might still be intact, a hand drum. Its sculpted handle was burned slightly, pricking his fingers as he picked it up. One tiny black ball hung on worn twine on each side. As to if it was still usable, Anthony couldn't say due to the fact that he'd never seen what it looked like in the first place. What he did notice was the pattern in which the drum followed if moved from side to side. One ball tapped against the drum's circular middle swiftly, yet gently while the other followed the same pattern on the opposite side. He could tell the inside was hollow from the echoing noise that reverberated after each touch.

I wonder if this is a weapon or toy? Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised either way.

As he was admiring the little object curiously, he heard a soft rustling in the bushes to his left. His head immediately jerked around, expecting to see his father. To his surprise, no one was there.

"Whomever you are, stay back! I have a weapon!" warned Anthony, holding the drum firmly in front of his chest.

This better be a weapon of some sort or I'm seriously going to die.

Then a near exact rustling noise came from the bushes surrounding his right side. Anthony tried holding the drum steadily forward, though his hand was shaking immensely.

"Just come out," demanded Anthony once more, his voice shaking as he took a few steps back towards the dojo.

Please don't be a murderer...

Suddenly, out of the bushes on his left walked a stern faced Japanese man holding a long bow staff. His hair was cut short and grayed in places similar to his dad's, though his face looked more worn.

"Oh, it's just you, Chozen," sighed Anthony, relieved.

Someday my family is going to be friends with people who are normal.

"Yes. Sorry for frightening you, Anthony-San. I was just returning one of your father's tools," replied Chozen, distractedly as he used the bow staff to push the remaining bushes out of his way.

"Don't worry, I wasn't scared," scoffed Anthony, unconvincingly.

Anthony figured that Daniel must have heard his calls of help, because he came rushing in their direction seconds later, his hands held out in a defensive position.

"Anthony, what's wrong?" panted Daniel worryingly.

"I'm fine, dad. It was just Chozen," answered Anthony, dismissively.

Daniel nodded, relief flushing over his face as he saw Chozen standing next to Anthony.

Do both my parents think I'm going to be attacked the second I walk out the door? I mean, it wouldn't be too far from the truth considering the state of things recently, though I haven't made THAT many enemies.

"I see that you have found your father's hand drum?" confirmed Chozen, gesturing towards the tiny object residing in Anthony's left hand.

"I guess so, yeah," said Anthony, looking down at the object too.

They all held their gazes on the drum for several seconds before conversation continued.

Why is this drum so important?

"So, what did you need from the dojo?" asked Daniel as the three of them headed back to the front yard.

"Actually, I was looking for you, Daniel-San. Amanda-San told me you'd come here," explained Chozen.

"Oh, what did you need?"

"I wanted to return this," stated Chozen, handing Daniel the bow staff.

"Oh, thanks," smiled Daniel, taking the weapon graciously from Chozen's hands.

Doesn't he have like a million of those things? Or should I say, did.

"My pleasure, although if we're being honest, there was one other subject I think is important that we discuss. When we will be starting to train your students. Now that you and Mr. Lawrence have settled your differences, at least for now," stated Chozen, a small smile creeping onto his face.

Anthony couldn't help but laugh at the Sensei's jab.

"Ha, ha, ha, very funny. Does tomorrow work for you?" smiled Daniel, rolling his eyes.

"Yes, I will have the lessons ready by then, I think," agreed Chozen, nodding.

Anthony quietly bit down on his lower lip, thoughtfully.

Do I want dad to train me or not? It would involve spending time with him...

But then, he remembered Kenny's words from the tournament.

"Get ready for high school because you're going to be in for a world of pain."

The smile on his face was enough to make Anthony cringe just thinking about it.

I'd choose my dad any day over Kenny Payne.

"Hey, dad," interjected Anthony, quickly running to catch back up to them.

"Yeah, Anthony?" responded Daniel, openly.

Here goes nothing...

"I was wondering if maybe you could, you know, train me? Like you do with Sam," asked Anthony.

He figured mentioning how Sam enjoys working with their dad would butter him up a bit.

"Are you kidding me? That's all I've ever wanted!" exclaimed Daniel happily as he pulled Anthony into a tight hug.

He thought the whole hug thing was a bit overkill, but he decided to give him this win.

"What do you say?" Daniel asked Chozen, looking at his fellow Sensei, hopefully.

"The more students we have, the more likely we are to beat enemy," answered Chozen, reassuringly.

Daniel smiled widely, squeezing Anthony's shoulders proudly.

Look out Kenny, because you're going down.