Chapter Thirteen: The Second Battle

She turned to Tomishiro and nodded, then headed towards the dojo. "Wow, she's out for your blood, bro" Shou stated. "I know, isn't it exciting. She's my warrior queen after all and I wouldn't expect anything less from her" Tomishiro said, following her down the hall. He placed a hand on Shou's shoulder, stopping him in the hallway and whispered to him, "I think think if I tease her enough and kiss her enough and get her mad at me to fight me, she just might be able to forget that guy. Then she will only think of me. Understand my motives now?" Shou's face lit up. Tomishiro entered followed by everyone. He pulled on a pair of gloves. He ha been preparing for this all day. Jackie hooked up her mp4 and speakers. She opened the door to the outside. "Rules?" Uncle Shin asked. "None, street fight" was Jackie's reply. She turned on her mp4 and hardcore metal music came blaring out of the speakers.

The first few hits and kicks set the tone for the match. It was an all out no holds barred brawl. Several times Tomishiro had her in a submission hold only to have her somehow wriggle out of it. As quick as he changed tactics, so did she. Jackie gave as hard as she got, punch for punch and kick for kick. Some way they wound up outside in the puring rain. Tomishiro saw the devastating Bear Paw Fist coming and barely defended against it. She then switched to a Brazilian form. She had landed several hits and kicks before Tomishiro identified it as Capoeira. It was similar to Ju-jitsu in kicking style but with movements like a dance. It's the constant motion is what throws the opponents off. He barely blocked her kicks.

Tomishiro went on the offensive, not giving her time to set up her attacks. He backed her up to the edge of the pond. She stumbled on a rock and realized that he intended to throw her into the fridges water of the pond. He made his move and she hip tossed him in but as he went down he grabbed onto her wrist, taking her with him into the cold water as well. They both came up sputtering. Jackie started giggling because he had a leaf plastered to his face. He grinned as he wiped the leaf off. Jackie couldn't contain it any longer and broke out into laughter and he soon joined her. He climbed out and helped her out. "I guess you can call this one a draw" Shou called out. "Damn, he's right and I was hoping for that kiss" Tomishiro said. Jackie grinned, "Not this time buddy." She was wringing the water from her braid. Tomishiro reached out and pulled a leaf from her hair.

"I think you two need to get in here and take showers, you're both soaked to the skin, shivering and filthy" Uncle Shin called out. They looked towards the door and saw everyone standing there. There were looks of surprise, shock, humor and appreciation for Jackie's skills. "Wow, you really found us an anchor for our team, Tomishiro" Saiya said, handing them both towels. "Man bro, I thought I was the only one that could keep up with you" Shou said, bowing to Jackie. Han nodded in agreement. "Now I see why you were always watching those videos of her" Shou added.

Jackie stopped rubbing her hair with the towel to stare at him with one eyebrow raised, the one with the scar through it. Tomishiro was turning red and looking at Shou. Mina had shut off the music and had the equipment in her hands, "Oh crap, anyone for round three?" Jackie was staring at Tomishiro and said, "Shou, you and I are going to have a sit down and have a long talk about your brother." She gave him a sly wink. "Then you're going to have to include Han, he is Tomishiro's best buddy from childhood. They used to run the streets together" he replied. Han and Shou were smiling as Tomishiro choked and his face turned even redder. 'Oh, so there are more interesting stories here' she thought. He apparently knows a lot about her, but she knows very little about him and she planned to correct that as soon as possible. After all turn about is fair play in her book.

She walked away with Mina, Komiko and Saiya. Saiya was giggling. "What's so funny?" Komiko asked her. "I have never seen my brother so at a loss for words or that embarrassed before. Your cousin is the cause of it" she replied. "Hey, can you two do me a favor? Can you get me a pair of jeans, knee high moccasins and a top to match, oh and I'll need undergarments as well. Thanks. Saiya, could you stay? I would like to talk to you about your brother" Jackie said. They all nodded and her cousins went to get her clothes.Mina and Komiko went to the bedroom to drop off the electronics and get the requested clothes. The top Mina chose was a tan suede halter top with fringe, heading and feathers adorning the front. Komiko pulled out panties, a pair of white painter's pants and Jackie's tan knee high moccasins.

"Saiya, I want to ask you something and I want an honest answer. Why is your brother...?" she started to ask but Saiya held up her hand to stop her before saying, "Are you blind? He's in love with you. At first we had caught him watching videos. Then I saw him drawing pictures of you. Poppa put it down to teen lust at first but we had overheard him talking to Shou and Han about you. He had stopped eating other women about three and a half years ago. There were a few that thought he might be gay but Han said no because he had actually seen him writing your name over and over again on a piece of paper like a love sick teen." Jackie had finished her shower, wrapped a towel around her body and turned to stare at Saiya with a dumbfounded look on her face.

"Oh this is precious. Haven't you ever been in love before?" she asked as Mina and Komiko returned with Jackie's clothing. Jackie thought over what Saiya had said as she got dressed. It made her realize that she was never truly in love with Glenn. It was more of an infatuation or more likely an admiration. He had been handsome and athletic but now that she thought more about him, he had been self-centered, rude and crude. He had always been a big flirt around other girls. He had kept on pressuring her to have sex with him but she had always said no. He never made her heart race or warmth spread throughout her body as it did with Tomishiro. She had never enjoyed his kisses. "No, to be honest, I was never in love before" she replied. Saiya winked at Komiko and Mina when Jackie bent over to tighten the laces on her moccasins. It was the word 'before'' that told them a little about her true feelings for Tomishiro and she was totally unaware of it. "Just watch him. See how he watches you, touches you and toads you to react to him. That's not lust my brother is feeling or he would be walking around hard all the time. You had better learn to accept that" Saiya explained to her. Saiya and Jackie's cousins left her to finish getting dressed and to think over what Saiya had said and think she did.

She thought back to their first encounter at the airport when the old pervert had bothered her. Tomishiro had looked like he was going to kill the guy. The next incident was again at an airport and the concern he had shown at the attempted kidnapping. Her mind went to the way he had spoken with her and she had opened up to him so easily because of his kind gentleness. The pieces were falling fast into place but was she ready to open up again, she wasn't sure yet. How could one tell if it was just lust she was feeling or was it love or did they both go hand in hand? She left the bathroom and headed to the main part of the house. She entered into the living room where everyone was seated and waiting to eat. The couches had been pushed back and the dining room table had been added to the one in the living room. The only empty spot at the tables was between Tomishiro and Shou. 'Terrific' she thought. As she walked into the room, she watched Tomishiro's face. He tried to smile but couldn't. He tried swallowing several times to clear his throat. She saw the hungry look on his face just before his smile finally appeared. She smiled back at him,. So it was true what Saiya had said. She looked around the tables as she made her way around to the empty seat. Shou's face was just as strange. His chopsticks hung in midair halfway to his mouth which hung agape in astonishment. Han mouthed a silent, "Wow." Uncle Shin took one look and dropped his eyes to his food, his cheeks turning pink. Jackie continued to smile as she took her seat between the brothers. For once she felt truly beautiful. "Wow, who are you and what did you do with that tomboy that was fighting with my brother so fiercely a short while ago?" Kaya asked. Jackie filled her bowl with an assortment of beef and vegetables in a brown sauce over steamed rice. She ate slowly, savoring the taste of the food.

"Pop, since it's Friday night, I would like to take the girls to the club for some music, dancing and drinks or tea" Tomishiro said. He had finally found his voice but he couldn't take his eyes off of Jackie.The other girls were staring at Uncle Shin with pleading eyes, especially his own daughters. He was thoughtful for only a moment. "You all have worked very hard these past few weeks even you three. So take tonight off and have some fun, but be prepared to work very hard tomorrow. You will have practice and archery skills so be ready by..." he paused and saw all the sullen faces around him, "twelve." There was a lot of whooping, hollering, and hugging around the table mixed with thank-you's all around the table. The meal was finished with excited chatter. Uncle looked around and smiled, "I may come by and have a couple of beers myself but I'm going to have to call for a ride." That's when talk turned to how they all were going to get there.

"Well, we could fit three into the back seat of Shou's car" Saiya said. "Three in the pickup" Kikki added. "That still leaves four"Mina said. Tomishiro tossed the keys for his truck to Saiya. She nodded. "That leaves one person left. Who's up for a bike ride?" Tomishiro asked. Jackie had been distracted by something Shou had said and didn't hear Tomishiro's question. The others had slit up and went off to get into the two different vehicles as Tomishiro's truck was a five passenger vehicle. Shou rose and quickly followed the others. Uncle left Togo call his friend to pick him up. Jackie realized how quiet the room got and looked around. She realized that Tomishiro and her were the only two left in the room.

"As I see it, you have one of two options, stay here alone with me or ride on my bike and we go to the club with the others" he said, leaning on the table and starting at her with a challenge in his eyes. Jackie lifted her chin defiantly. "Do you think riding a bike in the rain scares me, think again. See this tattoo? Read it carefully" she challenged right back. She showed him her left arm and he read, "H.D. Screaming Eagles Racing Team - Team Wolfpack Ride 4 Life." Right below those words was an image of a she-wolf riding on a Harley. Right below that were the words 'Team Captain.' She had taken the bait. "Okay let's go" he responded. "I'm just going to change my top and my shoes. I'll be right back" she said getting to her feet. He stood up to but had a confused look on his face. "Why the top? I can understand the shoes but why the top? It looks great on you" he asked. She almost face-palmed herself. "Because it is a halter top and ties at the neck and back." When she saw his confusion, she went on to explain, "If some pervert comes up behind me and pulls the ties, I become topless." As the image of her topless came into his head his face flushed pink and then darkened when the anger settled upon his mind at some guy touching her and seeing her exposed. "Go change" he said barely getting the words out. She wasn't long. She came back into the living room wearing a long sleeved black and red tee shirt and black high top cross trainers. She had a black leather jacket draped over her arm and a white ball cap in one hand. "I'm ready" she called out. He turned and swallowed hard once again. 'Damn, no matter what she wears, she's going to draw attention' he thought. Jackie put on her jacket as they went out to the garage where his bike sat. Jackie smiled when she saw that his wasn't one of those high end Japanese brands but a sleek old BMW. It is fast and sleek but has the power to compare with her Harleys. It was the definitive British version of hers. He smiled as he saw the appreciative looks she gave his motorbike. He had seen the pictures of her toys and knew she liked big, mean, fast powerful rides. He opened a cabinet and pulled out a helmet for her. She put it on as he got on the bike and started it up. It rumbled to life. She got on behind him as he opened the garage door remotely. The garage door opened to reveal that it had almost stopped raining and the sky was clearing up. He pulled out onto the road. She held onto the sides of his jacket as her long legs cradled his hips. He smiled at the thought that this was the most intimate touch between them and she was totally unaware of it.