Jack clenches his hands in fists until he can feel his nails piercing into his skin. His knuckles are white and his palms sting, but he doesn't want Kim to notice how badly his hands are trembling. He watches the match in front of him, each punch sends him spiraling back to his childhood, the last time he fought Kai. He makes sure to remain stoic, though inside he wants to run back home. Coming to China to compete in an international tournament seems foolish now. He flinches at the sickening sound of Kai's fist against the Italian's jaw. He knows what Kai's hits feel like, and what it's like to not be able to do anything.

The Italian starts to slow down, each second is more painful, harder to fight back. Hang in there, Jack wants to say. Don't let him win. Kai is clearly winning however, and Jack will have to fight him in the finals. He wishes this match would last forever because the sooner this one ends, the sooner he'll have to face Kai. Three years had passed since he last fought him or rather, since Kai had attacked him, and it wasn't enough to forget. There would never be enough time to forget everything Kai had done.

Jack takes a deep breath. This time there were referees with stricter rules; Kai would have to follow them or risk disqualification, and if there was anything Jack knew about his cousin, it's that he would do anything to get an award. Even if he likes taking out his anger on Jack, he'll save it for a better occasion.

Although those thoughts are reassuring, Jack still longs for the rocks Kim had bought to focus his restless energy. He hadn't slept much last night, too preoccupied with the fear of today and the final match. He had relived every moment with Kai, and came to the conclusion that his cousin was a dirty cheat and terrible person. Jack just wishes the world agreed with him. Somehow, Kai had won almost every fight, and the odds were he would win this one too. Jack has enough physical, he knows that, but Kai has the confidence, and that was most of the battle right there.

He can't stand watching this match any longer, and leaves for the locker room where he unties a bracelet. He looks at the black cord and red cross pendent, flinging it into the locker. That stupid bracelet. Without it, he would have beaten Kai last time, and wouldn't be anxious about today. He snaps out of his thoughts when he hears hollering behind him. Before he can process what's happening, he's attacked by three people in ninja costumes. They holler again and lash out with kicks and punches. Jack smoothly blocks them, relying on his instincts and reflexes. He spins around and straightens his leg in a back kick, sending one opponent crashing to the floor. He then backfists another one and grabs onto the bo staff to provide more momentum on his next kick. But the last ninja seizes the opportunity to slam the bo staff against Jack's wrist. Jack crashes to the floor, and winces when he hears it crack. He braces himself, waiting for them to attack him, but instead a loud kihap echos through the room, and someone steps in, defending Jack. He can't see their face, but is momentarily impressed by their ability to fight. It's a flurry of hand techniques, and one of the ninja's sleeves slides up and shows their intricate dragon tattoo. The only other person Jack knows who can fight this well is… Kai.

Of course. Tired and haggard from his last match, Kai sends the ninjas running, and stretches a hand out to help Jack up. He warily takes it, eyeing his cousin. It's unlike Kai to do something he doesn't directly benefit from.

"Thanks," Jack mutters, cradling his injured hand.

"Who were those guys?"

"I don't know. Probably the people I beat yesterday," he says with a wry smile. He touches his hand carefully, testing for pain. The skin is swollen and tender; there will be a bruise tomorrow. When he clenches his hand, and he can feel the tendons shaking and struggling under his skin.

"Can you still fight?" Kai asks.

"Probably not," he sighs. "I guess we'll see."

Jack retrieves his bracelet and slams the locker shut. He wants to find his sensei, someone he could really talk to and sort this out, but instead he runs into Kim. She notices Jack clutching his wrist and sees Kai following with his arms crossed. After everything Jack has told her about his cousin, she quickly draws the conclusion that Kai is the reason Jack's hurt. She steps forward immediately ready to fight Kai, but Jack pulls her back with his good hand. "Kim, he didn't do anything."

She looks wildly from Kai to Jack before stepping closer to him. "Are you blackmailing him?" she demands. There must be a reason Jack was protecting Kai.

"Oh, please. I'm not petty," Kai sneers.

Jack snorts. "You are literally the definition of petty, but no, Kim. He's not blackmailing me. He-"

"I saved wittle Jackie."

Jack whirls around, wishing he could hit Kai. His cousin's existence was enough to piss Jack off, but his comment had pushed the last domino over. "You did not fucking save me," he hisses.

Kim's eyes widen, and she steps between the boys, hoping to avoid a fight. She carefully pushes them away and says, "You know, it doesn't really matter. What happened to your hand?" Kai rolls his eyes and saunters off.

"Some guys jumped me in the locker room and they smashed a bo staff over my hand. I think it's broken."

Kim's face is pinched in disgust. "Who would do that? They could and should be disqualified!"

"I couldn't see their faces," he says with a shrug.

There's no way to accuse someone if he can't describe what they looked like. "I'll find Rudy. We should make sure your hand is fine." Jack collapses on a nearby bench and passes his good hand through his hair. Everything has crashed so quickly. What if he can't fight? That would defeat the whole point of coming half way around the world. And after all the anxiety the final match had caused; he had finally worked up the confidence to fight Kai, and it would be for nothing. He sure as hell isn't about to quit. Especially not against Kai.

Rudy comes over with the field clinician at his side. He turns Jack's hand over, examining it. "It's definitely injured. You won't be able to fight."

"But I didn't come all this way to forfeit!" Jack protests.

"I'm sorry," the doctor says, though his words hold no emotion. "You'll have to get it looked at closer back home."

Jack looks to Rudy hopelessly, but his sensei has ducked behind a wall, sputtering loudly. "Look, Jack, I know it's not what you wanted, but at least you were gonna try and fight Kai. You didn't give up," Kim tries.

Jack nods numbly. Her words don't help. He appreciates her trying, but there's not much people can say to cheer him up.

"I saw some bubble tea outside. Shall we drown ourselves in it?" She loops an arm through his and smiles up at him.

"I hope you're paying 'cause I'm out of money," Jack grumbles.

...

Sitting at the award ceremony, Jack tries to be happy that at least a family member won, but Kai throws a dozen smug looks at Jack and it'a infuriating. Kai hefts the trophy in the air as if he went through a long and harrowing fight. Jack rolls his eyes. His cousin greediness has no limits.

After the ceremony, crosses the room to congratulate Kai, scoffing at Kai's friends who throw their arms around him and pat his back. The sleeve of one of their gi's slides up and Jack sees a long tattoo. "Hey Kai!" Jack says loudly. His cousin turns and eyes Jack. "This guy a friend of yours?"

"Yeah, why?"

"'Cause he's got the same tattoo as one of the guys that jumped me!" he exclaims and yanks the sleeve. "Have fun with your trophy, champ." He shakes his head, walking back to Kim and Rudy. Kai had planned the whole thing. He couldn't eliminate Jack, so he got through with his friends. He finds a little satisfaction, knowing that Kai was afraid to fight him. Jack's body is suddenly propelled forward when Kai kicks him in the back. His cousin stands over him, as Jack scrambles to his feet. Rage shines in Kai's eyes as he moves to attack his cousin. A crowd forms around them, though no one intervenes, watching the scene unfold.

Kai pushes Jack outside the pagoda, so that they're out in the open, on the Great Wall. It would be so easy for one of them to go tumbling over…. Fear settles in Jack's stomach like silt in the bottom of a lake, but Kai's incoming kick distracts his mind and he refocuses on the fight at hand. He jumps onto a low wall, and losing his balance, he grabs onto the staff Kai had picked up. Kai twists the staff with such a velocity that Jack flips over, and lands on his back. With a groan he rolls over, dodging a close blow as Kai slams the staff down. Jack shoves Kai back, harder than he thought, and he stumbles over the edge. Jack lunges forward and grabs Kai's forearm. His cousin looks up, terror stricken.

"Alright, I'm sorry, Jack. I'm sorry. Just please don't let me fall."

"I've got you," Jack groans as he pulls him up. Kai collapses back onto the wall, and the crowd sighs in relief. Kai gathers his remaining strength, drawing himself up, and grabs Jack's hurt hand.

"That just proves your weak," Kai chuckles and smashes a fist into Jack's hand. Jack moans in pain, but still manages to catch the incoming kick. Using Kai's momentum against him, Jack sends him flying into a bench. It shatters under Kai's weight as he slumps to the ground. Panting, Jack pulls himself up and limps over to Kim and Rudy. This time he beat Kai.

Panting, Milton and Jerry come running in. "You would not believe what we've been through!" Milton exclaims.

...

The warriors leave the plane, exchanging their wild adventures in China. Kim laughs at the boys' misfortune, and Jerry shakes his head irritably. "It's not funny, Kim! We could get in serious trouble over this!"

"You won't get in trouble, Jerry. At least, I don't think you will…" she trails off ominously with a teasing smile. Milton shudders under her comment and mutters something under his breath. Jerry and Kim snicker at his comment while Jack silently walks next to them. Kim takes notice of his odd behavior; on the plane he had been distant, staring out the window and twisting his bracelet around, and he hasn't said anything since, but when she gives him a questioning look, he gives a small smile and brushes her concern off.

As soon as they get to their families, a five year old crashes into Jack's knees. He laughs and hugs his little sister, taking her hand and letting her pull him over to their mom. Jack looks back at the warriors and mouths, "Help me" but they laugh it off, knowing he's not actually annoyed.

He smiles pleasantly at his mother who reaches around his neck for a hug. "We missed you, Jackson," she says warmly.

"And I you," he states with faux cordiality.

"I want a hug!" Ava shouts, jumping up and grabs at Jack. He flinches as she hangs on to his injured arm. His sweatshirt hides the brace, but Ava curiously pulls at his sleeve. She eyes the brace suspiciously and starts to pull at the velcro straps.

"Hey, stop," Jack says, breaking off from the conversation with his mom.

She sighs and rubs her forehead, tiredly asking, "Do I even want to know?" Happy and warm to exasperated in the blink of an eye. Jack didn't miss her fluctuating personalities in China.

"It's a fascinating tale, Mom."

She sighs again. "That doesn't sound good." Jack offers her a shrug as he makes his way to find his luggage. "Do we need to stop at the hospital on the way home?"

"I mean, like, technically we should, but it's fine if we don't," he says facing away. He spots his suitcase and pulls it out. Making a point to loosen his muscles and let his eyes drop, he gives her a haggard look. "I'm tired. Can't we just go home?"

She purses her lips and finally asks, "How much does it hurt?"

"It hardly does." That doesn't mean much, though. Jack has a high pain tolerance, and will make anything up to avoid going to the hospital. "I can't turn it over, but I can move it like this." He demonstrates moving it up and down.

"How did you hurt it?"

"Someone hit it with a bo staff."

His mom sighs and shakes her head. "It's probably just a fracture-"

"Homeward bound!" Jack declares. He scoops up his things.

"-so," she continues, "we should go get it checked out and make sure it's not worse." Jack tips his head back and groans.

Kim walks back and laughs at him. "You seem so happy to be back, Brewer."

"Nothing says 'welcome home' like a trip to the ER!" he says sarcastically.

"Next time don't come home with a broken arm," his mom interjects. And then quietly she says, "We can't afford another medical bill. Why are you always getting hurt?"

"It's always after I'm with Kai," he mutters. He catches her disapproving look and rolls his eyes, catching up with Kim to avoid a debate with his mom. Ava tags along, clutching her brother's hand.

"Hey, what was going on back there? When we were getting off the plane?" Kim asks as she bumps Jack's shoulder.

"What do you mean?"

"You were really quiet."

"When?"

"When we got off the plane!"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Everything up until the present moment seems distant, fuzzy

"Jerry and Milton were telling us about their adventures in China and you were… unresponsive. I wanted to make sure you were alright."

"Oh, I'm fine. Just… lost in thought."

"What were you thinking about?" Kim prods.

"Nothing," he lies.

"Jack! Come on, you can tell me."

"It wasn't anything specific. Just, like, the week and stuff. I guess."

She scoffs. "Right. That doesn't sound like bull-"

"I'm going to take this minute," Jack interrupts, "to remind you of Ava. You know, my five year old sister." He wraps his arms around her shoulders protectively, and draws her in, pretending that she's much more innocent than she really is.

Kim grins sheepishly. "Sorry."

"Jack, let's go. I don't want to spend another night stuck in the ER," his mom says.

"We could always not go," Jack grumbles, but he says goodbye to Kim and his friends before catching up with her.

...

Jack rests his head against the car window. "I know you were just on the other side of the world and are jet lagged, but are you really that tired?" his mom asks.

"I don't think it's the jet lag," he says. His body is so drained he feels s if he could sleep for the next three days. Not the mention the pulsing headache he hasn't been able to shake since he got off the plane.

She gives im a sympathetic look, and in an effort to distract him says, "I'm still waiting to hear this amazing story."

Jack picks himself up, rubbing his eyes. "Kai was too scared to fight me in the final rounds, so he decided to have his friends attack me in the locker room. Coward," he mutters.

"When will you two learn to get along? You used to when you were little."

"We got along until we were six. That just means we actually developed personalities, and his happened to suck."

"For the last time, Jack, Kai did not-"

"He did-"

"Can we not discuss this now?" she sighs.

"Right, 'cause you want to hear every story but that one."

"Will hearing it save me thousands of dollars of hospital bills?" she mutters.

Jack rolls his eyes. Obviously not, she knew that. "I just thought maybe you would care."

"I do care! But it was so long ago, and you know how things get jumbled up in your head-"

"So Kai can get away with anything because I'm brain damaged," Jack says flatly.

"You're not brain damaged, Jackson." He scoffs. The car lurches to a stop at a red light, and his mom turns to him. "You're not," she repeats, but Jack continues staring out the window.

From the back the car Ava says in a grave voice, "I don't like Kai either, Jackie." He gives a small laughs and fist bumps her.

"You hardly even know him, Ava," their mom argues.

"But he's mean. And Jackie doesn't like him."

"You see what kind of influence you have on her?" his mom says, trying to be serious, but she can't help laughing a little.

"I'm leading her down the right path," Jack says indignantly.

"I worry about you," she sighs.

"You never stop worrying about me."

"That's because I love you so much!" His mom blows him a kiss teasingly.

Jack sniggers. "Thanks, Mom."

"Anytime sweetheart." She pulls into an open spot. "Let's try and keep this visit under three hours, yeah?"

After several x-rays and some very long hours of Ava's energy bouncing off the wall, the radiologist decides Jack's hand is just bruised. He would be fine without any kind of cast or treatment. After the ER, they go out to eat; his mom doesn't feel like making dinner. After spending a week in China, Jack craves authentic American food, and by 7:00, the Brewers pull outside their small duplex. Two cars are already parked outside, belonging to the other family. Jack takes his sister in his arms and carries her upstairs whiles his mom hauls his luggage inside. Once Ava is tucked in bed, Jack collapses in his room, breathing in the smell of home: a mixture of his mom's old science books and peppermint.

He's already drifting away when his mom comes in with his bags. "Hey," she says in a subdued voice. "I know you want to sleep, so I brought your stuff up." Jack doesn't respond, and she gently touches his shoulder. "Jack?"

"Do I have to brush my teeth?" he mumbles into his pillow.

"I don't care, but you do have to take your medication."

Jack groans loudly as she rummages through the pockets, trying to find the orange bottle.

"Here." She tosses the bottle over and Jack continues to grumble as he unscrews the cap.

"I don't want to deal with side effects," he mutters.

"I don't want to deal with withdrawal tomorrow," she counters. Jack sighs and pops them in his mouth. His mom kisses the top of his head and turns off his light, but Jack is asleep before she closes the door.

I'm pretty excited about this story, and I hope you guys enjoy it!

Until next time,

-Rui