Humble lessons: 06 Maturity

(In the dojo of Sensai Yoake Jasmine is surrounded by three of her peers, and as they circle her Sensai Yoake waves his hand)

Sensai Yoake: Begin!

(The three surrounding opponents rush towards Jasmine, waiting a moment she lunges towards one of her attackers, taking him by his collar she lifts him slightly and throws him over her shoulder forcing her other opponents to pause in there advance, taking advantage of there hesitation she leaps towards one of the two landing a kick in her stomach, now with two of her opponents on the floor Jasmine turns towards her remaining peer, the two stair each other down for a moment and as they do, Sensei Yoake begins to see that some of Jasmines movements show similarities to Bethony's, just then Jasmine's remaining opponent steps back, noticing this Jasmine leaps into the air and as she comes down she sweeps her opponents legs from under him ending the match)

Sensei Yoake: Enough, return to your positions.

(With everyone now back in the appointed places, Sensei Yoake begins to end his class)

Sensei Yoake: Very good, I am pleased to see that most of you have improved quit well, coming very far in such a short amount of time, continue to grow, that is all, Jasmine I would like to speak with you after everyone has left, please remain seated.

(As the last of his students leaves Sensei Yoake begins to inquire about Jasmines improvements)

Sensei Yoake: I was not lying when I praised your advancements but your movements today where very familiar, who have you been sparring with?

Jasmine: ….I've been sparring with Bethony everyday after school, her and another friend will come over to my house and after we've finished our studies for the day Bethony and myself would have a friendly match, I suppose in sparring with her I've picked up a few of her hab- er, skills.

Sensei Yoake: ….Do you keep score?

Jasmine: ….I've only won seven of the seven-teen matches we've had.

Sensei Yoake: Would you say her skills have wavered, understand that I do not ask expecting that to be the cause of your victories.

Jasmine: ….No if anything I would have to say that she has been steadily improving.

Sensei Yoake: Do you know the cause of this "steady improvement"?

Jasmine: ….Mr. Alderman, he's a teacher at the school, he hasn't been teaching her any forms of martial-arts but he has been ….working on her attitude.

Sensei Yoake: ….Jasmine, I would like for you to offer Bethony to return to the dojo.

Jasmine: Yes, Sensei.

(Later the next day the girls are in Jasmine's room reacting to the news)

Bethony: Really, Sensei wants me to come back to the dojo?

Jasmine: That's what he said.

Alison: Are you gonna go back?

Bethony: Hmm, ….good question.

Jasmine: You're actually thinking about it, I thought you'd be jumping at the opportunity!

Bethony: You would think, right ….

Alison: But....?

Bethony: ….I don't know, I'd really like to, but....

Jasmine: Really, if this is about me and my feelings, forget it, I think you should come back.

Bethony: Its not about you....look guys I gotta go, just remembered I've got some place to be, see ya tomorrow.

Alison: Oh, uh, alright.

Jasmine: See ya, I guess.

(Bethony leaves the room)

Alison: You really thought it was about you?

Jasmine: (Blushing) S-shut-up!

(Later that day Shannon is walking past the old gym when he's suddenly and playfully tackled from behind by Bethony)

Shannon: What are you doing here?

Bethony: I thought I'd see if you where still here and since I found you.

(Bethony begins pushing Shannon into the old gym, once inside she closes the door behind her gets into a stance)

Shannon: What is this all about?

Bethony: Nothing, just wanted to spar with you.

Shannon: (Sigh) Bethony, I told you I don't-

Bethony: Oh come on, we both know you know something, all I'm asking for is a little match, pleeease.

Shannon: ….

Bethony: I was actually hoping to play this card on something else but, if you spar with me, win or lose, I'll let the whole "Jasmine incident" go, deal?

Shannon: (Under breath) Guess I'm still in the dog house on that one.

(A moment pass as Shannon looks over at Bethony, scanning her demeanor, then he reluctantly tosses his bag aside)

Shannon: Alright, I'll spar with you just this once.

Bethony: (Chuckle) Awesome!

Shannon: Just remember to go easy on me caus-

(Before Shannon can finish his sentence Bethony suddenly lunges toward him, leaping into the air she comes down to the floor sweeping at his feet, managing to dodge her attack Shannon leaps back to gain a bit of ground, Bethony continues her playful pursuit by following up with a second sweep to Shannon's legs this time making contact, just as Shannon hits the ground Bethony leaps on top of him pinning him to the floor)

Shannon: (Lite chuckle) Ow, ….so you satisfied?

(Giggling, Bethony kisses Shannon deeply then flips off of him and heads towards the door)

Bethony: (Lite chuckle) I'll see you tomorrow.

(Lying on the floor for a moment Shannon begins to pick himself up)

Shannon: (Sigh) The things I do for that girl.

(The next day Bethony stands outside of her former dojo, taking a deep breath she soon walks in to find her Sensei preforming his Kata's)

Bethony: Good morning Sensei.

Sensei Yoake: Ah, Bethony I was hoping to see you, I'm glad to have you return.

Bethony: That's just it Sensei, I haven't come back to the dojo, I merely thought it disrespectful to not give you my answer in person.

Sensei Yoake: Your answer being that you are not returning?

Bethony: ….Yes, I've come to realize that when I first began my training I was in a certain place that I felt I couldn't leave, not without power, but eventually I found that I didn't want to leave and merely sank myself deeper into that place, this made me into a different person, eventually I ….but then something happened someone gave me something I hadn't had in a long time, "patience", I respect and am grateful for your teachings and will continue to expand my martial knowledge but I don't wish to do that here under your tutelage, thank you.

(Bethony bows to her Sensei, a moment passes and Sensei Yoake turns towards her and bows in return)

Dismissed