A/N: Written for the April monthly challenge over on LJ. Some TFA Prowl and Jazz ninjarly goodness.
Enjoy!
The white ninja made his way into the grand dojo. He couldn't help but smile. Everything was exactly as he'd left it. Right down to the Nunchuku mounted on the wall.
"Same old Yoketron." Jazz smirked to himself as he made his way into the main dojo.
The ageing Sensei spotted him immediately and his wizened face broke into a fond smile. "Jazz." He walked over and shared a bow with the young cadet before embracing him into a warm hug. "Shouldn't you be training at the academy?"
"Not anymore, I wanted ya t' be the first t' know."
Yoketron's optics brightened and Jazz's widening grin. "You got in?"
Jazz could barely contain his excitement. "I got in. Yer lookin' at Elite Guard, cadet first class."
"Jazz I'm so very proud of you, you were always one of my best students. I knew you'd go far."
"I hope you're right, I ship out tomorrow, wanted t' come see ya before I left. Check out the old digs."
Yoketron chuckled at Jazz's bright and cheery disposition, he made a refreshing change from his current and only student. "Walk with me my young Jazz, tell me all about your exploits since leaving."
"Ya got it Sensei." The white mech flashed him an easy confident smile and fell into step with the older 'bot.
Yoketron led him outside into the outdoor training arena, all the while listening to Jazz's animated tales of his time at the academy. He enjoyed the bright chatter, it was good to see how the young mech had matured so well. The elderly Sensei stole a quick glance at Jazz when the younger mech had fallen silent.
Following the direction of the blue visor, Yoketron's optics fell onto the distant form of his student, currently practising his kata.
"Didn't know ya were takin' on new kids."
"I wasn't but I took a special interest in him."
Jazz quirked an optic ridge as the 'bot stumbled in the middle of his kata and fell on his aft, still unaware of his audience, clearly, as he uttered a string of expletives and kicked at the sandy ground.
"Feisty one ain't he?" Jazz smirked at the tantrum.
The 'bot was now so thoroughly wound up he failed the kata even more spectacularly than the first time. Much to Jazz's amusement, remembering himself in exactly the same position not so many cycles ago.
"Yeah I can see why yer interested." He chuckled, casting a sidelong glance at his former Sensei.
Yoketron simply smiled knowingly. "He may lack finesse at the moment Jazz but I see great potential in him. If he focuses his mind, he could become one of my best students." His mouth curled upwards as he regarded the white mech. "I dare say it even better than you."
Jazz recoiled in mock offence, before settling back into his casual grin, his visor flashing with mischief. "We'll just see about that." He gave his Sensei a polite bow. "May I?"
"Go ahead, but Jazz…"
"Mm?"
"Be warned, he has a temper and he hates to lose."
"Mech needs to learn what it's really about then."
Yoketron smiled. "And what is the real lesson Jazz?"
"Patience of course." Jazz turned away, heading for the black and gold 'bot who still hadn't noticed their presence. A knowing smirk spread across his faceplates. "And how t' lose graciously." He added with a soft chuckle.
Prowl gritted his denta hard in frustration. He knew the moves, he KNEW them. He'd seen Yoketron do it often enough, why wasn't he getting it?
"Gaaah! It's hopeless.... when am I ever going to fraggin' need it anyway?" He cursed vehemently at the ground as if blaming it for his failings.
"Well yer never gonna need it if ya keep talkin' t' yer self mech. 'Bots will steer well clear of ya."
Prowl whirled round and glared at the white and black stranger, grinning at him like an idiot. "Who the frag are you?"
"First lesson." Jazz stepped confidently onto the mat, his easy tone and smooth vocals, laced with a deadly seriousness. "Watch yer language. Yer in a dojo now, treat it with some respect."
"And if I don't?" Prowl retorted hotly.
Jazz's grin widened at the cocky response. "Then I got t' teach ya lesson two."
Prowl huffed and glowered at the taller mech. "And what exactly is that?"
In one swift move, Jazz had spun round and dropped low as he did so, smashing his leg into the back of Prowl's thighs, sending the black and gold frame crashing hard to the floor with a sharp yelp.
"Stay light on yer feet." Jazz was back on his feet with a friendly smile. He leaned forward to offer his hand to the downed mech, who batted it out of his way as he stood.
"Who do you think you are?" Prowl snapped, his faceplates flushed with embarrassment at being caught out so quickly.
"He's my former student, and my guest Prowl. Please show him some courtesy."
"Did you see what he just did to me?"
"I saw only what you allowed to happen Prowl."
Jazz shot a look to the agitated mech and held out his hand. "Prowl huh? Good name. The name's Jazz, pleasure t' meet ya." His smile widened with that same maddening confidence. "No hard feelins' right?"
"Gaahh." Prowl growled in irritation and spun on his heel, stalking his way back inside.
"I don't think he likes me."
Yoketron dipped his helm slightly with a chuckle. "Prowl doesn't really like anyone."
Jazz gazed in the direction of the black and gold mech, curiosity dimming his visor a little. "Yeah I can see that." He replied softly. "Won't last long in the big wide world with an attitude like that though, I hope ya can help him."
"As do I Jazz, as do I."
Stellar Cycles Later
Jazz glared at his console, the trip had been a long and tiresome one and still Sentinel wouldn't give it a rest. The white mech had heard more than he could ever possibly want to know about how useless Optimus and his bunch of maintenance 'bots were.
"Just chill SP, we're about to hit planet side in a few kliks, probably best if we promote a cool front yeah?"
"Jazz you don't know what you're talking about." Sentinel huffed, sitting heavily into his captain's chair. "Optimus is a complete buffoon, he wouldn't know how to command a team if his chassis depended on it. Even if the team is a bunch of defective parts."
Jazz growled softly, his processor was beginning to ache and he did not like the prospect of being trapped on a planet with Sentinel, especially an organic planet.
This was going to be a long few solar cycles.
It had taken a while for the formalities to proceed, due to Sentinel's complete phobia with organics. Jazz had settled much quicker and soon found himself feeling quite at ease amongst Optimus and his team, who in his mind were an alright bunch of mechs, if a little quirky. One mech in particular had caught his optic. Familiar black and gold armour stuck in Jazz's memory files. The same yet somehow very different.
He had briefly spoken with Prowl when he was first introduced to the team; he'd even seen the mech fight a little and had been pleasantly surprised. Prowl was not the same mech he'd met all those stellar cycles ago, mature, controlled and incredibly skilled. Jazz was a little in awe at the change in such a relatively short time by Cybertronian standards.
The mech had been quiet, reserved when introduced properly back at their base. Choosing not to stick around to be sociable and giving no indication that he recognised Jazz at all. When Jazz questioned it, Bumblebee had merely shrugged and returned to his video game, stating that Prowl was always like that. He didn't really like anyone.
The comment made Jazz smirk, his mind sending him back to the chat with Yoketron who had said the exact same words with a fondness that Jazz had been surprised to hear.
"Well if Master Yoketron likes a 'bot, I got t' see what the deal is." He mused to himself, wandering through the Earth base.
He caught a flash of black and gold when he walked past a large room. A curious mech by nature, Jazz stepped in and gazed up in amazement at the large tree dominating the centre of the room. It led out onto the roof, where no doubt the other ninja had disappeared to.
Scaling the tree with ease he perched on one of the top most branches and watched the dark ninja practise. He was good, he was very good, and Jazz couldn't help but notice.
A smile spread across his face. Gone was the awkward stumbling, the lack of confidence, gone was the staccato movements, replaced instead with strong, fluid motion and carried out with deadly assured precision. His technique still needed work however; Jazz could tell he was missing some of the more advanced techniques.
Prowl had been Yoketron's last student, Jazz's visor clouded over at the thought.
"He mustn't have completed his training before…" At that point Jazz moved with a sigh, making his presence known, his frown replaced once more with his easy smile.
"Lookin' good Prowl."
The dark ninja whirled a shuriken without looking in his direction. Jazz didn't move and simply turned to stare at the weapon embedded into the branch beside his helm. He turned back to the black and gold mech with an open mouth and bright visor. Prowl regarded him with folded arms and a pinched expression on his already stoic face.
"You should know better than to sneak up on someone."
Jazz grinned and stepped out on the roof, retrieving the shuriken. "That I should. I'll remember that for next time." He handed Prowl his weapon with a casual grin.
"Next time?" Prowl quirked an optic ridge above his severe visor and took the weapon back. "I do hope you don't make a habit of sneaking into a mech's room where you're supposed to be a guest."
"It ain't normally my chosen hobby no." Jazz chuckled. "I just wanted t' catch up with ya. Been a while since I got t' see another of Master Yoketron's kids."
Prowl stiffened at the mention of his former Sensei and said nothing. Jazz sought a hasty recovery before the mech completely shut him down.
"I couldn't help but notice, yer lookin' damn fine just then while practisin'. Yer advanced techniques could use a little tweakin' though."
Prowl frowned frustrated. "I did not get to complete my training."
Jazz nodded in understanding. "Well if yer up for it, I'm willing t' train with ya."
Prowl's visor brightened. "Really? You'd do that?"
"Sure why not?"
"Well I believe I've passed lessons one and two now, so I'm not sure what else you can teach me."
Jazz stared at the mech for a moment, almost missing the sly, tiny smirk pulling at the corner of Prowl's mouth. "Is that so?" He laughed out loud at the subtle dig. So Prowl did remember him and much to his surprise he didn't appear to hold any hard feelings, a testament to how much the mech had grown since their last encounter. "M'fraid I'm gonna have t' see this for myself mech."
Prowl's smirk widened. "I had no doubt that you would."
The two mechs trained together for the duration of Jazz's time on Earth and even spent their spare time together, talking about their experiences with Yoketron. Jazz talked about the academy and being in the Elite Guard and Prowl albeit reluctantly spoke about how bravely Yoketron had died and his time spent with Optimus and the rest of the Earth team.
It all fascinated Jazz; they were two very different mechs, their only similarity being that of their former Sensei. It was an unusually forged friendship, but a friendship nonetheless and one that continued long after Jazz had to leave Earth.
Comm. Calls became a regular occurrence between them, if only to share gripes or ask how their day went. Jazz had an ulterior motive too, he'd grown fond of the Earth team and he, unlike Sentinel, put a bit more stock in their statements that Decepticons were on Earth and that they had fought them and were fighting them. He worried about the small team and had invested interest to want to make sure his friends were ok on a day to day basis.
Prowl couldn't help but feel a stab of disappointment when it came time for Jazz to leave Earth. Despite his initial misgivings about the white ninja, Jazz had proven to be a mech easy to get along with. It amused Prowl now to think back on that first encounter. He had always been so impulsive and rash to judge another mech. He had been embarrassed and made a fool of and he had loathed Jazz for that.
While the white mech still carried a casual air of smugness whenever he managed to get one over on Prowl during their sparring sessions, the mech had only the best intentions. Prowl could respect that and if Master Yoketron had deemed the white mech worthy of his high regard then it was only fair that Prowl find out exactly what it was about the Elite Guard mech, that had his Sensei singing his praises when he'd been alive.
He discovered soon enough that Jazz, although very different in personality to himself was an honourable spark. He was loyal, dedicated and very in tune with those around him but not ruled by them. A good thing considering who his commanding officer was. Prowl respected that about Jazz, he was friendly and casual almost to a fault but had a more serious edge to him that Prowl found intriguing, given his outward demeanour.
The mech had graciously offered his personal comm. frequency and also his personal comm. frequency for the ship. His smile had been nothing but friendly with the sincere instruction of; 'Call me anytime, let me know how things are.'
Call him Prowl did, he only intended it to be once but it hadn't been long before Jazz called him back, his only reason was just to chat and to hear someone's vocals other than the whine that was Sentinel.
Prowl found himself looking forward to hearing from the fellow ninja. He enjoyed hearing about his work and also it put his mind at ease that his new friend was safe. He wondered at his own disappointment if he happened to miss Jazz's call, putting it down to familiarity.
That was exactly what he chalked his excitement up to when he got Jazz's last call.
"Throw down the welcome mat. Earth bound in two solars."
Jazz was glad to step off the stuffy ship once more. The gentle breeze felt soothing to his armour and the dim sounds of Detroit were like music to his ears. Oh how he had missed this strange little organic planet.
His smile widened as he caught sight of Optimus and his team approaching. His optics quickly picked out the striking black and gold. Despite Prowl being a much smaller mech than the majority of his team mates, he had presence about him, he stood out and Jazz couldn't help but be drawn to his aura.
Jazz thought nothing of it, Prowl had become a steadfast friend after all and it was good to finally have someone who he knew understood him and enjoyed his company, even if they did argue over their training from time to time.
It was just such a time that things took a turn. Jazz, when asked about it later would only shrug and his mouth would curve in that sly knowing smirk of his. He honestly couldn't have predicted it and hadn't tried to explain it.
Sometimes such things simply made sense.
Prowl had been practising in the warehouse when Jazz had crept up on him. He always tried to surprise him, catch him off guard and had not yet managed to succeed.
Until now.
He let out an undignified yelp when Jazz launched himself from the rafters in the ceiling and landed lightly behind the focused black and gold mech.
"Jazz!" Prowl glared angrily at the snickering mech. "This is highly immature of you."
Jazz held out his hands while he contained his laughter. "Then colour me immature Prowl." He grinned, his visor flashing mischievously. "Chill mech, it's all part of yer trainin'." He continued to chuckle in spite of Prowl's dark glower at him.
"You are insufferable, you know that?" Prowl huffed and made to leave the room.
"That's why ya keep me around, I keep ya on yer toes."
Prowl quirked an orbital ridge, his arms folded as he regarded the amused ninja. "Hmphf, I hardly think being able to successfully sneak up on me once can be considered as keeping me on my toes."
Jazz smirked and his visor brightened. "Oh ya don't do ya. Well let's try this on for size."
In a blindingly swift move, he had whipped out his Nunchuku and sprang towards Prowl, hoping to take the mech by surprise. To his abject dismay, he could only watch as the image of Prowl disappeared before his optics throwing his planned move out of synch. He landed with a stumble and cried out in alarm when the flat side of a shuriken rang off the back of his helm.
"Holo projector huh? That's got t' be some kind of cheatin'." He rubbed the back of his helm with a wince.
Prowl smirked and shrugged. "Just keeping you on your toes."
"S'like that is it?" Jazz grinned.
"If you think you can take me, then take me." Prowl dropped into a crouch, ready to move.
Jazz didn't need any words, he enjoyed a challenge. Launching himself at the slightly smaller mech, they met in a flurry of parried moves and deflected strikes. Jazz lunged with his trusted weapon only to find himself off balance as the quick footed ninja dodged him and took out his legs.
"Gaahh!... Oooofff!" Jazz's optics blanked out as his helm struck the hard floor. He on lined them to find Prowl pinning him to the floor in a typical grappling finishing move, that he hadn't even seen implemented.
Prowl leaned forward a little, that smug little grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Give up yet? This is the second time I've had you on your back."
Jazz laughed and shook his head. "Mech yer forgettin' the third and most important lesson of all."
Prowl drew back admittedly a little wary. "Oh?"
"Always, always expect…"
Without thinking Jazz grabbed the dark helm with both hands and pulled Prowl toward him, capturing his pinched mouth in a kiss. He used the distraction to flip the lighter mech onto his back and used his larger frame to pin him to the floor.
Their mouths still locked Jazz pulled back with a gasp in sudden realisation of what had just happened. "The unexpected…" He finished with a heated whisper, his bright visor locked with Prowl's.
"Th—that's a new one…" Prowl managed to force out, his intakes rapid as Jazz still cupped his helm in both hands.
"Ya can say that again." Jazz breathed, his initial shock slowly being replaced with another of his easy smiles. "Worked though." He murmured, distracted by the heat emanating from the ninja pinned beneath him, the closeness of their bodies.
"Indeed… you got me…" Prowl replied softly with a warm yet subtle smile, his visor locked onto Jazz's as neither of them moved.
