Chapter 1 - First Day At Dojo

It was my first day at the Dojo, I'm overjoyed, excited, thrilled to go to my first class of Martial Arts. I didn't know what to expect, I wonder if I'm going to make friends or is the Master too strict? I headed to the temple as they have separate classes for each level but I heard that you'll stay with the same teacher. But that is just rumors. I wore my white beginners' level robe uniform as it stated to wear it during class.

I looked at the schedule and knew my class would start soon and stay there for two hours. I didn't mind, I least it wasn't long as school. I walked into the classroom, ready to begin as I saw some students were chatting, giggling to their friends as I knew class was about to begin. My orange fur quivered as the bell was heard loud and clear as the students were silent and looked upfront. There it was a Liger; his yellow-orange fur covered with brown stripes as his second color was beige on his chest and some around his face. I also notice the spiked-like brown mane he has and it made it look cool. And his white robe with a black belt tied to his waist.

My obvious guess is that he's going to be our master. He walked slowly, with his hands behind his back and stared at us. Then his words came-

"Welcome class, I am Master Moko and I'll be your teacher this year", his voice was dominant, it wasn't too deep but it made him kind of a threat. "I want you to be in four rows; 6 for each row"

Everyone took a spot at the seat as I took in the middle of the third row seating next to a wolf person. I looked around and I saw everyone staring at front. I turned back and my master stared at me. I didn't make eye contact, I felt a bit ashamed by that stare. He continued and I listened so that I won't disturb his lecture.

Then I knew that all of us have to introduce ourselves and say why we are here. I gulped, I was nervous; I usually don't like to introduce myself. I hardly ever want to say my name. Then I knew I was next, the girl at my left stood up and looked at everyone. "Please tell us your name, and why did you come here?" said the master.

"Hello, my name is Stella and I come here for improvement of my combat" she introduced.

"Excellent" he said, as he looked at me. "What about you, young one? Tell us your name and give us why you came here for"

"Um… the name's Jon… um… short for Jonathon…" I cursed myself of my stupidity.

Master Moko nodded. "Well, give us your reason why you came"

"I… I came here because I want to… to be WORTHY for my family and teacher!" I finished as I stared at my master.

"I'm impressed with your destiny, good… now whose next?" he said as he turned to the wolf person at my right.

I grinned at myself that I did well at my introduction and hoping that I'll do well in this class.

~Three Weeks Later~

It was the time of combat. I stared and watch as some of my friends were going against each other. The rule of this concept is to hit your opponent above the waist and under the face. I was entertained at the combat it made me experience that I'm in front of a street fighting movie. I enjoyed the scene and how they experiment on the techniques they use to hit each other. I was nervous, I don't want to lose in battle but it wasn't the 'real' thing. It's just shows how well you put up during practice.

As I can inform, the last three weeks, we learned how to block, dodge, and react to certain attacks. I learned how to block well but my fighting skills are too basic…

As the two opponents were done, our master chooses the next two people to fight. He chooses my wolf friend, Reece, and looks around with his hands behind his back. Stared at some who didn't want to be picked then he looks at me. He stared into my golden brown eyes as I stared at his green eyes.

"Young one, you're up" he said.

I gulped but I nodded. I had to concentrate and try my best to succeed. I smiled at Reece as he smiled back. "Bow to each other", our master said.

We bowed down and start our fighting stance. "Fight", then we started our fight.

I throw a punch at Reece but manage to block my move as he kicked high but blocked as well. I upper cut him but he grabbed my hand and made me off guard. He had the chance to hit me as he got the point. The second round, I faked my punch as I threw my left hand and hit him at the shoulder. This is the last round, if I get the point, it'll be my day! But if I don't then there will be a next time. We bowed down again and made our fighting stance. As my master said fight, Reece just dashed towards me throwing a fist. I jumped back and was stunned to see him doing this. My thoughts were that he wanted to win because he usually likes to come first.

I kicked but he grabbed my leg and threw it. I was about to lose balance and was off guard as Reece used a final punch but I rolled to the side and kicked him at the stomach. Master Moko called that a hit and I was victorious. I was proud of my actions but then I thought about Reece. I turned back and had a smile at his face which we made a final bow down.

"Dude… what was that?" I asked.

"You know me… I wanted to win" he replied with a chuckle.

I sighed and headed back to my spot but was stopped by my master. He laid his muscular hand on my shoulder. "Excellent come back, young one"

I grinned. "Um… no problem"

I sat back down and waited for his words…

~Four Months Later~

I was dead asleep, unconscious, and knocked-out in bed getting my full rest. Yesterday wasn't my good day. It came down to be the worst day for my entire five months at Dojo. Then I heard a BOOM! I jumped out of bed, landing on the solid ground, groaning how tired I am. My eyes were red and my dark brown mane was messy. I looked at the time and it was twenty minutes past morning and I knew that ruined my shower! I grabbed my towel and headed to the showers. Soon as that was over, I completely dried myself; my orange fur was fuzzy and little moist. I grabbed my tooth brush and brushed my sharp teeth and saber-tooth fangs. I looked at the time and class was about to start in ten minutes and I'm not dressed yet. I dashed into my small closet and grabbed my white uniform and tied my white belt. I fixed my fur to the way it was but it was still moist but that didn't matter. I dashed out from my dorm and headed to my classroom. I was panting and heard the BOOM again… but that sound was the start of class…