Chapter Fifteen: Training and Re-training

Early the next morning Jackie called Lea to video chat with her. She saw that Lea was at the physical therapy unit at the hospital. "Hey sis. Is Jet there?" she asked. Lea brought the phone over to Jet. "Hi, Jet. How does it feel to be going home so soon?" Jackie asked him. "It feels great but it won't be as much fun without you there. What's been happening?" he asked her. Jackie told him everything, right up to and including last night. "Geez, it sounds like you're having a real adventure over there. Maybe when I'm strong enough, I'll fly out there for a visit. So this guy Tomishiro is in love with you, how do you feel about him?" Jet asked. "I'm not sure. I like him alot and am very attracted to him to be honest but I don't know very much about him. He has promised not to pressure me but he let me know he's not giving up on me either" she answered truthfully, "For now, I want to concentrate on the competition." Jet frowned. "Yeah well I got some really bad news to tell you. Glenn found out where you are somehow. He's on his way out there. That man is totally out of his friggin' noggin. Be careful." "Thanks for the heads up. I will certainly be careful. Take care, don't push yourself too hard. Give everyone my love. Love ya, Miss ya. Wolfpack forever. Bye Jet" she said. "Love ya, Miss ya. Wolfpack forever. Bye Jackie" he replied and hung up.

Jackie dressed and met Tomishiro outside. It was a nice crisp and sunny Fall day. They went through the moves he had helped her with the day before. Shou and Han joined them. Tomishiro taught her more complex moves until he was satisfied with her progress and had Shou step in as a sparring partner. Tomishiro and Han stood there calling out moves to her. After a while they stopped calling out the moves and she just went by instinct. A couple of times she had made mistakes and Shou had almost defeated her. "She's good Bro really good" Shou said, wiping his brow. They were taking a short break. "I'm next" Han said. "Jackie, you're going to have to step up your speed or you won't stand a chance against Han. He was the co-captain of the Kendo club at our school" Tomishiro said, "Han, remember she is in retraining. She has the basics but wasn't able to complete her training due to a very bad Sensei." Han smiled and nodded in understanding. Jackie evaluated her opponent. He was taller than Tomishiro but lean where Tomishiro was all bulky muscle. She knew he would use his speed to his fullest advantage. They started their match and it became apparent very quickly that she learned from her mistakes. She was able to keep pace with Han for most of the match but in the end, Han still defeated her. "That was excellent. You're improving at a remarkable rate. I feel by the time of the competition, you will be able to take on anyone and defeat them" Tomishiro said smiling. "I hope so. We were watching a video of Jackie in a competition and Mei saw what we had seen. Mei is a Kendo competitor. She is going to expect Jackie to do as poorly as she did back then" Uncle Shin said from the doorway. "Jackie, you will have a serious advantage, being left-handed. Most people are right-handed as you are well aware, and it is very hard to counter a left-handed attack. Han and Shou can having grown up and trained alongside Tomishiro all these years. Between the three of them, they should be able to teach you a few tricks" Uncle Shin said smiling. He then looked serious, "I have another issue to discuss with you. Mina is still telegraphing her moves to her opponents. At this rate she will lose her first match and be disqualified. Is there anything you could do to help her out?" Jackie smiled, "Yes I do as a matter of fact. I had been thinking about it since you told me her problem. I can teach her one of my other styles. It is Capoeira. It involves constant movement, no time to think about your moves first. It's like dance and fighting combined together. Constant movement is Going to be the key to her success." "Very good idea. Maybe you could also have a talk with her at lunchtime too. She's feeling a little down about it." Jackie said, " Sure, anything for my family and especially her."

They all went back inside. Jackie grabbed two sets of dance capris and tank tops. She went and showered then dressed in the one set. She joined everyone for lunch. Mina was as Uncle had said, a little down. "Hey Cuz, after lunch I'm going to teach you a new style. I think it will help you out with your problem" Jackie said handing the other dance outfit to her cousin with a smile. Mina looked at her hopefully. "You did all those years in gymnastics, parkour and hip hop dance. This will be perfect for you." Jackie explained and Mina smiled brightly. "Tomishiro, do you mind if I help Mina after lunch out back?" Jackie asked as she filled her bowl with rice fruit and fish. "Not at all. Anything that helps out anyone on our team is always welcome but why outside?" he asked. "Music and movement combined together needs a lot of room to move at first. Capoeira is a lot of movement and until Mina learns the moves, we are going to need a lot of space. The dojo will be too confining to begin with"Jackie explained. After lunch they went to Jackie's room so that Mina could change and Jackie could grab her more and speakers. They went outside where Jackie hooked up her speakers to her mp4 and queued up her list of Jamaican music. "Now I want you to think of it as street dance meets martial arts. Listen to the beat. Let it flow into you, through you, move you. Then add street moves like this" Jackie explained and then proceeded to show her a few moves. Mina started to mirror Jackie's moves. She found it easy to do and actually found it fun. "Now we are going to add some spins, flips, punches and kicks. Just follow me and use as much space as you need for now" Jackie said.

After a half hour of going through the basic moves, Jackie was satisfied with Mina's progress and showed her some more complicated moves. "Now I want you to put it all together like a dance. Remember, keep it moving. That is the key to this style. It is constant motion and it throws your opponents off balance because they never know what is coming next. Tomorrow we will go into the full contact maneuvers. Take a five minute break and then we will go over what you've learned as a dance" Jackie said and Mina nodded. They took their break and drank some water. Jackie stood to the side as Mina went through all the moves in different combinations that Jackie called out to her. "Shit Bro, Mina's doing it. Jackie is a really great teacher. She saw her cousin's weakness and found a way to help her overcome it" Shou commented. Han had to agree. Tomishiro learned something as well during Mina's lesson. Jackie was able to learn her opponent's weaknesses in a matter of moments and utilize them to her advantage. "Now I see why you two were so evenly matched. She can change styles in a moment to counter anyone's moves without thinking about what she is doing. She can use other styles besides traditional ones" Han stated, placing a hand on Tomishiro's shoulder. "She could teach you a lot" Shou added. "She already has" Tomishiro agreed. "When is your Grandfather expected to come down from the temple?" Han asked, watching as Jackie encouraged her cousin with praise. "Grandfather usually come down around the first snowfall and so far it has been too warm for snow" he responded. Now it was time for her to learn something about him. "Jackie, I hate to put a stop to Mina's lesson but we have to continue on yours before it gets dark. Besides I think Mina has worked quite hard today" he called out to her. She nodded and turned to Mina, whom looked a bit sad about ending so early. Jackie had an idea. She drew a ten foot circle on the ground in chalk. "Keep practicing those moves and keep them inside this circle. Only do it for another fifteen minutes, okay?" Jackie said. She figured if she could do it with her height then it should be easier for Mina. "Shou, do you think you could stay and help her if she needs it?" she asked him. "Sure, I think I have the moves down in my head" he said and gave Han a kiss, "Don't let her damage you." Han smiled and followed the other two inside. Jackie went into the bedroom and donned the Kendo ghee again then met up with the other two in the dojo.

Uncle Shin was just finishing up with a weapons class. Jackie and Tomishiro waited until the dojo cleared out with the exception of Uncle Shin. Tomishiro motioned to Jackie. She stepped forward and stood at the ready. Tomishiro faster and more intricate moves. Jackie copied his moves slowly at first then faster until she was keeping up with him. Han stepped in and an impromptu match began. Jackie was keeping up with him until Han twisted his wrists and brought the flat side smacking it against her wrists. Her hands went numb and she dropped the wooden sword. She stood there shaking her hands until the feeling returned. She ßmiled and bowed to him, he bowed back. "Was that a new move?" Tomishiro asked Han. "No, it just a very old one that I Use when I'm about to lose. It's the same one I used on that guy from the University competition. Remember the one guy with the loud Mouth and obnoxious attitude?" Han reminded them. "Wait, you were about to lose to Jackie?" Tomishiro asked. Han nodded and smiled. "Yeah, I was. Besides, Mei has been training under that guy and he is pretty good. I want Jackie to beat Mei and prove that it wasn't by chance or cheating that I had defeated him" Han stated. He then turned to Jackie and added for her benefit, "He tried to get me disqualified for cheating but there was nothing in the rule book against disarming your opponent the way I did and the referee up-held his decision. He has never figured out that move to this day." "And because he has trained Mei, they may think they have a chance against you, especially after Mei watched that video" Uncle Shin said, agreeing with Han's assessment of the situation. Every unexpected move or form that they could use will give them an edge. Uncle Shin had gone over the rules carefully and thoroughly to see what was allowed, what was legal and especially what was disallowed and illegal. All forms of Martial Arts were allowed. All weapons in the combat phase were to be made of wood or rubber with blunted edges and points. All weapons in the demonstration phase could be made of wood, rubber or metal and be blunted or sharp. All weapons will be inspected thoroughly prior to each section of the competition.

"I wish to ask Jackie something if I may?" Uncle asked. "Sure Pop" Tomishiro said, looking at his father questioningly. "Jackie, when you helped me with the tarp up on the roof and we were done, you used an unusual move to get down. I have seen a similar move used by my father. I also saw you use it when you were fighting with my son in the rain that first night. You have been trained in Ninjitsu, haven't you?" he asked her. Jackie's eyes widened and she nodded looking around at the stunned face of Han. "How did you know?" she asked, astonished that he recognized it as Ninjitsu and not a gymnastic move. "One branch of our illustrious family tree were elite assassins to the Emperor. Only a select few are trained in it. Even into this day and age too because of the intensive skill and training. How old were you and who trained you?" he explained and then asked her. She looked first at Han's surprised face and then at Tomishiro's smirk.

"I was very young, about five years I think. Jet and I had been up in a tree, spying on Great Grandfather. I was copying his moves up there and fell out of the tree. I landed on my feet. He laughed at me for his moves so high up. To keep me from getting hurt, he decided to train me on the ground. He looked up and told Jet to come down and join us. He always knew where one of us was so was the other" Jackie said around a giggle at the memory. "He made us promise not to use it unless absolutely necessary, but I'm not the only one with those skills. Am I right, Tomishiro?" she said looking pointedly at him. He smiled and nodded. "How many styles have you currently mastered?" was Uncle's next question. It was her turn to to grin. "Ten not including Kendo, Ninjitsu and Banakan" she answered looking askance at the other two. "Banakan, what is that?" Uncle Shin asked. "It is the style of my Grandmother's people, the Cherokee. It is a very intense and powerful form. It takes very many years to master just the simplest forms. Sorry Uncle, whAt I had hit you with is a powerful move but I didn't even use my full strength. Jet is a master and so are Bruce and Lea. Mei and Kai are in training as well. I still have about two years of training to become a master in it" Jackie explained. "You didn't use your full strength behind it? I couldn't move for several minutes and Jet was right about the bruises" he said, opening the top of his ghee to show the massive bruise there on his shoulder. "Yeah, well if I hadn't held back or if it had been Jet, your shoulder would have been shattered. Jet had to do that once before. It was right before a match that Jet had been entered into. Some guys approached him and told him to throw the match. He said no. They threatened the both of us and he hit the biggest guy, dropping him to the floor. Jet turned to the other two but when they saw their buddy on the floor, unable to move and screaming in pain, they ran away. The big guy was taken to the hospital where it was later confirmed that Jet had shattered the guy's shoulder and broken his hip. Word got around and no one bothered us like that again" Jackie explained. Uncle was relieved that she hadn't used the full force of the move on him. It also pleased him that Jackie was able to control the amount of force in her strikes. That was a sign of a true master in the making. She had used enough force to disable without causing serious injury. Shou and Mina had joined them to hear the full scope of Jackie's skills and Shou just stood There with his mouth hanging open. "I think we have had enough training for today" Uncle said as he looked outside and saw thick clouds gathering. He felt the outside temperature dropping, "Shou, go turn on the furnaces. We will be getting snow soon. I will put your Grandfather up in my room when he arrives."