Inspired by my competition with my dear friend and the need to practice first person.

Rain poured down from the sky. The world was grey. I felt the water from the puddles seep into my shoes. It wouldn't matter. I'd just change them at the school. The amount of rain was almost unbearable for an early spring. Akademi High's field would be swamped in mud. I sigh as this meant that my plans for group meditation had to be moved. The roof would be slick. So the inside would be packed with students during lunch. Where would I put our club? We need the quiet space. I had used the library before but the other students complained about the study space. I adjusted my umbrella. The rain was really giving it a beating. I really didn't want to deal with the feeling of wet fabric today and the water would mat my already mussed hair.

Clearly I was early. I stepped into the building and shook off my umbrella. Empty. Even that couldn't describe the school. I went to my locker to switch my shoes out. Luckily I kept spare socks in here too. Suddenly I felt the ground. My gaze was drawn to the footsteps of the perpetrator. All I saw was the flaring skirt disappearing around the corner. I blinked before readjusting myself.

"Great," I sneered. Today wasn't my day. Heck, it wasn't my week. I quickly changed my shoes. Perhaps I could hang my uniform to dry as I change into my gi. I slammed the door of my locker shut. I glance behind me to see more students coming in. I didn't want to face them until I put my face on for the day. Lately I've been frustrated and angry. I had too pressure placed on me right now. I headed for my club room. I had won it from the previous leader. I smirked as I recalled the events of that day.

I had joined the club because being a martial artist was in my blood. It was passed down from father to son for many generations. Being strong meant having a happy life or so that is what my father taught me. So I instantly knew I had to join the club. It made me happy. It made my father happy. Heck, it made my grandfather happy too. Life seemed much simpler then. I remember just walking into the club with a smile on my face. It was homey. The leader was strict but she welcomed me anyway. It wasn't until she felt challenged that she became aggressive. She was used to being the strongest as her pupils had little to no experience. That was until I showed much promise. At times she wouldn't even train me. She noticed that the other students improved with the advice that I would give. I seemed to be the better teacher.

I noticed her anger. Usually I'd prefer a happy environment but I actually enjoyed seeing her jealousy. It was refreshing and yet different. I would smirk and she would sneer. She purposely gave me harder and harder challenges. I would easily soar right through them. It was at the end of my first year that she noticeably began to snap. The club began to share whispers about her attitude. She worked them hard. It was when she started to spar roughly that I had enough. I waited till she was particularly enraged to challenge her. She fought hard. I'll giver her that. I was better. She had just slammed me to the ground when she began to mock me.

"Can't knock me down new blood. Your family should be ashamed," her laugh was harsh. I took the time to roll and trip her. I smiled as I heard her shriek. I then pinned her till she submitted. It was time for me to be the leader. She cried silent tears. I wasn't sure why but they made me happy. I let her go and she ripped the bandanna from her head and trust it at me. Pink. That would have to go. I took it with the intent to bleach it later. I watched her walk out. Her head hung low as the door slid shut. I tied the bandana to my head and ignored the color for the moment. My new class stared at me. I smiled and clapped my hands.

"Let's get to work." It did take some time to adjust to being the leader but it suited me well, even if I was just a first year. My new pupils took my leadership with ease. It was as if they always knew that this would happen.

I reached the door and slid it open. My home away from home. No this was my home. I smiled as I reached the changing booth. This was mine and mine alone. I stepped behind the curtains and slipped off my uniform and traded it for my gi. The mirror in the small cubical showed off the efforts of my training. All my muscles and scars. Being a hero isn't easy. I've had my fair share of scrapes. I had been in all kinds of fights and I won them all. I am undefeated and I intend to keep it that way. I fixed my hair in the mirror and adjusted my bandana. The club didn't need to see me at my worst when they need me at my best. I left the changing room just in time, my club was just arriving. Sho and Juku arrived first and greeted me with a wave. The girls entered next. They too changed and got into position. I led them in their daily warmup.

"Shima," I called. Her push ups weren't low enough. "Lower and make sure those arms are bending at ninety degrees."

"Yes Sensei," she agreed. When they finished I let them spar. After school I planned to have them work on their kata's. I normally would've led with kata's but Shima had insisted on it being boring. I smiled. This would show her the importance on review. I was nice and let her work with Juku. Both were on a similar skill level. Their speed was slower than the others and their form lacked balance. I looked towards Sho and Mina. They weren't perfect but they were more practiced. Their balance was solid and their speed was up. I looked away as I heard a complaint from Shima. Juku had managed to knock her down. She lost focus. I internally rolled my eyes. Shima was stubborn. She doesn't have the patience to focus. Eventually she will learn. Everyone has to start somewhere. She stood up and sighed in annoyance before asking to start again. Her anger towards Juku was evident but it was better than last week where she had yelled at Juku. My thoughts fled as I heard the door slide open. I snapped my attention to the door.

"Welcome to the martial arts club! I'm Budo Masuta," I stated with practice. "How may I help you?"

"Ayano Aishi. What is it you do here," the calm voice questioned. I took a moment to take this girl in. Her black hair was neatly tied away, her uniform was spotless and crisp, and her grey eyes were focused on me.

"I see. You want to know what I teach instead of the average gist everyone else has been spewing." The other clubs were each preaching about the theme of their club instead of the core skills each had. The photography club was the worst offender. I have yet to see one of their supposed images in the school paper. The girl nodded silently and kept her stare on me. It was a little off putting but perhaps she was nervous.

"Well, I teach more than just the body. I work with balancing the mind, body and soul. You need to be strong in all three to truly be one with yourself. The point isn't to be strong but rather to have the power to use it right."

"So...no punching people in the face for pissing you off."

"Exactly," I let out a laugh. I have had a lot of people quit because they thought being strong meant they could fight. "This isn't a get fit fast club," I eyed her. Her lip twitched. "Balance is everything. By balancing everything, we can achieve true peace."

"I see." It lead to an awkward silence. The club looked at me in confusion.

"Did I say stop," they resumed their work. Her eyes trailed to them and then back to me. They seemed to burn with a new fire. They seemed so empty before.

"I wanted to join something meaningful," she said. I recalled the photography club and instantly understood. Honestly the only club i respected was the gardening club. They yielded actual results and at times we have used their garden for meditation. We even helped them garden here and there. I nodded and sent the girl a smile.

"Promise me that you will work hard."

"I promise," the words were clear. Maybe she wasn't as nervous as I had originally thought.

"Then I welcome you as a member of the martial arts club." I reached into my pocket and pulled out a bandana. "Wearing this shows that you are an official member of my school." She took it and tied it around her head. The sweet smell of vanilla drifted my way as her hair was tossed around. It complimented her well. She looked at me in question. Oops. I had forgotten what I was saying.

"Anything else," she cocked her head. It was cute. I shook my head.

"Well I'd like you to join us every day but the school only requires you to attend once a week," I gave her a smile. "I will have your gi ready for tonight so don't worry about doing anything right now. Just pick up your gi after school and if you like you can join us for beginers kata's tonight. You hit us at a great time as we were just changing things up for today." I could see that she was thankful. I knew she wouldn't be ready to spar for at least a month.

"Thank you sensei," she bowed before walking out the door. I watched her leave while I questioned what she would bring to the table. Ayano. That name just rolled off my tongue with ease. There was another thud. His head was drawn back to his students.

"That hurt Shima," Juku complained. I let out a sigh.