- KATHERINE -

THE rain-soaked cobblestones glistened under the dim streetlights, reflecting the melancholy in my heart. Lyon, once a city of dreams, had become a prison of monotony. The vibrant hues of the French Quarter, once a source of inspiration, now seemed faded, a mirror to my own waning spirit. The aroma of freshly baked croissants and strong coffee, once comforting, now carried the weight of a thousand unspoken words. Even the familiar faces of locals, their warm smiles and knowing nods, had lost their luster.

Placing one single suitcase in the back of the taxi, I paused, a wave of bittersweet nostalgia washing over me. Looking up into the gloomy sky, I made sure to take one last mental picture of the Eiffel Tower, the only view I'd ever miss. A lump formed in my throat as I turned away, my heart heavy with both excitement and trepidation. The familiar streets, once filled with promise, now seemed to stretch into an endless horizon of uncertainty.

"Please reconsider this, Katherine! You're making a huge mistake! This is your life now!" My mother, Sandra, her voice a desperate plea, echoed from the balcony of our modest apartment. Ignoring her cries, I turned my back on the familiar scene and opened the taxi door. Amidst her growing hysteria, I glanced back, a defiant smirk playing on my lips. I was done being her puppet.

As I adjusted my signature Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses and cherry red beret, I stepped into the waiting vehicle, shutting the door with finality. The cool leather seats offering a stark contrast to the warmth I was leaving behind. One last look at the place I'd called home for a decade. No tears. And absolutely no regrets. Just a cold determination. "Get me out of here." I ordered the driver. He grinned, as if silently approving my bold decision.

Thirteen hours and forty minutes later.

My emancipation was still a work in progress, a fragile victory in a life marked by chaos. After the plane touched down, I navigated the mundane routine of baggage claim and customs, my mind already racing towards the sanctuary I hoped to find. My meager belongings were a testament to the financial ruin my mother had wrought, her reckless spending on vices and fleeting relationships leaving little for her child.

I doubted she would have hesitated to sell me off like a worn-out fashion trend had it not been for the meager child support checks from my estranged father. With a sigh, I spotted my faded pink suitcase, its worn corners a symbol of the journeys it had endured. Hauling it out of LAX, I quickly called for an UBER, hoping the address scrawled on a tattered postcard would still lead me to the haven I remembered.

As the UBER wound its way through familiar streets, a flood of childhood memories washed over me. The sight of the iconic palm trees, the scent of salt in the air, and the distant rumble of the ocean instantly brought a smile to my lips. After what felt like an eternity, I arrived at the familiar house, a wave of nostalgia washing over me. Tipping the UBER driver, I retrieved my suitcase from the trunk and approached the front porch, my heart pounding in my chest.

A moment of hesitation passed as I wrestled with a surge of doubt. Pushing aside the negative thoughts, I summoned my courage and rang the doorbell, bracing myself for whatever lay beyond. A few moments later, the door swung open, revealing the face of Daniel LaRusso. The legendary All Valley champion, and as it turned out, my uncle. "Uh, can I help you, young lady?" He inquired, a puzzled expression etched on his face. I stifled a smile, amused by his inability to recognize me. Rather than immediately revealing my identity, I decided to let him guess, eager to witness his reaction.

"Wow, so I leave for ten years and you suddenly forget who I am? I'm hurt," I teased, watching as his expression shifted from confusion to recognition, then to pure joy. Before I could react, he pulled me into a tight embrace. "Oh, Katherine, look at you all grown up," He exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise and warmth. "You should have told us you were coming to visit." A wave of uncertainty washed over me as I contemplated whether to reveal the true purpose of my visit.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I decided to take the plunge. "I was hoping this visit was a little more permanent," I confessed, my voice serious. I couldn't quite decipher the emotions playing across his face, leaving me suspended in a moment of anticipation. "I see," He replied, his voice understanding. "Well, then why don't we talk about that inside?" He offered, taking the suitcase from my hands. I nodded, following him into the house. God, how I missed this place. "Honey, who was at the door?" I heard my Aunt Amanda's voice called out from the kitchen.

As I stepped into the room, my cousin Samantha beat her mother to the punch. "Holy shit! Katherine, you're back!" She exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise and excitement. I nodded, a genuine smile spreading across my face as my cousin embraced me tightly, a comfort I hadn't realized I'd been missing. "I'm back," I confirmed, holding her a little tighter. "It's so good to see you." Amanda was quick to join the embrace, offering the maternal warmth I'd longed for.

In that moment, I realized how much I'd missed this family, this sense of belonging. After a flurry of hugs and excited chatter, I settled into a chair at the kitchen table, a wave of apprehension washing over me. I dreaded the conversation that lay ahead, hoping my emotions weren't as transparent as I feared. Just as I was contemplating my next move, Anthony, the youngest LaRusso, burst into the room. Dropping his iPad, he lunged at me, knocking the wind out of me with a powerful hug.

I suspected Anthony missed me the most, or perhaps he was planning a surprise attack under the guise of a friendly hug. "What do you say, Cuz, a quick game of Pokémon Go or Fortnite for old time's sake?" He asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Why don't you go play? I need to talk to your mom and dad for a few minutes," I replied, earning a competitive glare before he dashed off to his room.

My gaze shifted to Amanda and Daniel, and then to Samantha, who offered a reassuring squeeze of my arm. "Did you tell your father that you were here?" My uncle inquired, his voice laced with concern. As if it wasn't obvious by now, Louie LaRusso Jr. was my father. The truth was, I'd lost all contact with him during the tumultuous events of my life. As for my mother, she has had a deep-seated hatred for the LaRusso's. From a young age, she tried to poison my mind against them, but her attempts were futile.

Determined to break free from her influence, I started working at fifteen and saved every penny to leave and eventually return to LA. To my real home. Shaking my head, I snapped out of my reverie and focused on the concerned expressions of Daniel and Amanda. "No, he has no idea I'm here," I replied, not missing the sigh of frustration from Daniel. "And, I'm pretty sure if I walked next to him on the street, he wouldn't even recognize me," I scoffed, a bitter taste lingering in my mouth.

From their expressions, I could tell they'd connected the dots. I pursed my lips, bracing myself for their reaction. "Kat-" Amanda began, but I cut her off. Nervous energy propelled me forward, and I launched into a rapid-fire explanation. It was a defense mechanism, a way to control the narrative before anyone else could. "Believe me, I didn't come here for your money or a free place to stay. I've saved enough for a small apartment in the Valley or Reseda, and I should have enough left over to enroll in my sophomore year of high school."

Both my aunt and uncle exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions softening into a proud smile. "I may not be your direct family, but believe me when I say it, Katherine, you're staying here, whether you like it or not," Daniel declared, his tone firm. I opened my mouth to protest, but Amanda was quick to cut me off. "We have the room, and I know both Sam and Anthony would love to have you here," She said, her voice gentle yet leaving no room for further argument.

I glanced at Samantha, who was beaming at me, her eyes pleading with me to accept their offer. After a moment of internal debate, I caved, knowing the futility of arguing with them. "Okay, fine, but when I have enough money, I'm paying you all back," I insisted, crossing my arms in frustration. My uncle chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "We'll talk about that later," He said, dismissing my concerns with a wave of his hand.

"Now, why don't you unpack in the guest room across from Sam's? I'm sure you know the way." I nodded, giving them both a heartfelt hug and thanking them profusely. Daniel gently nudged me out of the kitchen, a knowing smile on his face. As I opened the door to the familiar guest room, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. The same pictures still adorned the plain white walls: me and Samantha, Amanda and Daniel, the day Anthony was born, and a photo of my parents.

I set down my suitcase and picked up the frame closest to me, a smile spreading across my face. It was a photo from my fourth birthday, a day at Disneyland. I was sandwiched between Jasmine and Aladdin, my parents beaming with pride in the background. We were the perfect family, happy and carefree. Determined to hold back the tears, I gently placed the photo back and changed into my pajamas, deciding to deal with the emotional turmoil in the morning.

Plugging in my phone, I wandered around the house, nostalgia pulling me in. The pool room, once my sanctuary, was exactly as I remembered it. Uncle Dan's karate space, untouched by time. A pang of longing hit me as I realized how long it had been since I'd practiced. A particular photo caught my eye, a reminder of the stories my uncle would tell Samantha and me about his Sensei Miyagi. Though I never met the man, his spirit ignited a passion for karate within me.

As I admired the photo, Samantha walked in, interrupting my thoughts. Her gaze fell upon the picture, and a warm smile spread across her face. "I'm so glad you're back," She began, her voice filled with genuine happiness. "Welcome home, Kat." I turned to face her, returning her smile. "It's good to be back, Sam," I replied, a sense of peace washing over me. Being back, surrounded by familiar faces and cherished memories, truly felt like coming home. 

HELLO LOVELY PEOPLE!
The first chapter *rewritten* is here!!  I'm focusing mainly on the LaRusso's point of view for this story instead of the Cobra Kai's. But their paths will cross occasionally seeing as this is a Robby Keene story! Please don't forget to vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter! Don't worry guy there's much, much more to come!! I apologize in advance if this chapter seemed a bit boring but I promise the wait of the upcoming chapters will be worth it! <33