Never Say Never

by o-o-o-VampirianWolfGirl-o-o-o

After losing the tournament, Mike joins the cage fighting underworld. One day Mr. Miyagi finds Mike in an alley, half beaten to death, and takes him home to live with him and Daniel. Neither boy is happy with the arrangement...yet. SLASH: Mike x Daniel

4. Detour

Hi everyone, here is Chapter 4 for 'Never Say Never'. I just wanted to once again apologise for the delay in updating. Not only was this year my final year of studies, but in the last 6 months I lost two very important members of my family. It has been a hard year, but hopefully 2012 will be a lot easier. Thank you for being patient and thank you for the messages asking how the story writing is going, I appreciate it. Hope you enjoy this. And thank you to everybody who reviewed the last chapter!

Chapter Four: Detour

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Mike's POV –

"Try again."

"I am trying." I snapped at him, before closing my eyes again.

It wouldn't work, I kept losing focus. I couldn't meditate to save my fucking life.

Since we got back from the hospital two days ago, LaRusso's sensei has been on my case, forcing me to learn his style of karate. Guess what he has me doing? Fucking meditation of all things! Just sit there, close your eyes and breathe. Well it was easier fucking said than done.

"Try again." He said to me for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

"Don't think I won't hit you." I said to him through gritted teeth.

"We deal with bad attitude later, now you meditate."

Something inside me snapped. I stood up abruptly, "Look I can't just sit here doing nothing! This meditation shit is a joke!"

He didn't react to my outburst. He just sat there, eyes closed, meditating.

"Sitting still and doing nothing are two different things."

Man this stubborn ass was impossible!

"If you so good at karate, you should be able to do this. Try again."

I let out a groan of annoyance and sat back down, glaring at Miyagi before closing my eyes again, the clever prick knew exactly which buttons to push.

I didn't really have much of a choice here. If I didn't do this, he would hurt me. Seriously, the look in his eyes when he first asked me to try this... all I'm saying is that guy is capable of inflicting some serious pain.

You are probably wondering why I didn't just up and leave. Think about this from my point of view, I had nowhere else to go, yet. What little money I had saved up from cage fighting wouldn't take me to where I wanted to go. I may be abrupt but I'm not stupid, staying here and putting up with these assholes was the best thing for me financially. I may be a hot head, but I also use my brain.

I couldn't cage fight again. Those wankers who beat me up would be hanging around, I wasn't afraid of a challenge, but in no way am I going to take on the Mafia. Those bastards fight dirty, with bullets when they kill, not fists. I got out lucky.

Plus if I tried cage fighting right now I'd get my ass kicked, I was still healing from the beat down I got a few days back. It would be another few more days of healing before I was completely myself again.

"Stop thinking and focus." Miyagi said to me, interrupting my thoughts.

"How do you know I'm not focusing?" I asked abruptly.

"Breathing is wrong."

Tch...

I let out a deep breath... for a moment... I was thinking of nothing, I was just breathing, listening to the breeze, feeling the air around me, until my memories re-introduced my mind to a room of shattered glass.

Then to loud noises, yelling, darkness, streets, bruises...

I saw red...

"Look, I'm not doing this!" I yelled as I stood up, towering over his still form, "This is stupid. Just leave me the fuck alone."

I stormed off into my room; not waiting for a response which I'm sure wasn't going to come anyway. I walked into my room and slammed the door shut hard, well as hard as you could slam a Japanese sliding door. I sat on my bed placing my head in my hands and stared at the floor through my fingers... it didn't help.

I closed my eyes and breathed in before shaking my head. As soon as I opened my eyes I hit the first thing I saw, which happened to be my nightstand.

My mind kept flashing back to dark memories and I shook my head again, hoping the memories would somehow fall out. As I did this I felt something wet on my hands, I looked down and saw a drop of water. Where the fuck did that come from?

I looked up to the ceiling, expecting to see a hole, or a leaking air conditioner or anything, anything to lie to myself and ignore the fact that I had shed a tear. I haven't cried in years, I stayed strong, and then what happens? I let some old guy lower my guard enough for the memories to break free. Fuck my life.

I looked back down at my hand and groaned. I had cut my fucking knuckles open from punching the nightstand... another thing that LaRusso will pester me about when he sees them. That is when he eventually gets out of bed.

By the way, do you want to know why else I couldn't just up and leave?...

"Daniel-san?" I heard Miyagi call out, standing in front of the door to LaRusso's room.

...because the Prima-Donna just had to go and save my life, so now, I owe the prick.

Daniel's POV -

"LaRusso."

Strong hands shoved me against the wall, except this time, instead of me preparing myself to fight; I welcomed the hard kiss which was given to me. My hands were then slammed above my head, and my 'attacker's' free hand disappeared under my shirt...

"LaRusso."

I pulled back, breaking the kiss with the remainder of my will power to see my lover's face-...

"LaRusso!"

I bolted upright out of bed, my heartbeat erratic and my breathing out of control (I couldn't tell if it was from being startled or as a result of my dream), to look across the room where my door was, I groaned in annoyance at the sight my eyes landed on.

"You're a fucking idiot, go away." I said before pulling up the blanket further and rolling over.

"The old man wants you up." Barnes' said in retaliation.

"Well, tell him he can come and wake me." I know I sound like I'm taking a leaf out of Barnes' book, but I'm not a morning person when I don't have to be anywhere (it's Saturday), so I am entitled to extra sleep.

"He already tried dipshit."

"So he figured you would do a better job?"

"Obviously worked, didn't it?"

I groaned again, "Just go away."

"I don't think so," I could almost hear something close to humour in his voice...he was enjoying my torment!

"Barnes, fuck off! I want to sleep more."

"You have been in here for two fucking days, now get your ass out of bed and get dressed."

"Come on man, I got hit by a car!" I snapped, yeah I went there...

"And I got tortured and left for dead by mobsters and was still forced to endure your company in town after two days, now...get-the-fuck-out-of-bed!" He snapped back, he went there too...

"Alright, relax, I'm getting up..."

"Hn, just consider it pay back for your rude awakening a few days ago."

I huffed in annoyance, "You gotta learn to let that shit go."

Upon hearing my words Barnes' face grew this creepy/predatory type of smirk. He walked towards me slowly, and it was all I could do but stare back, noticing the 'crazy' glint that had developed in his eyes... eep I knew he was nuts!

It felt like forever when he had finally reached me, stopping by the side of my bed, he crouched down so that we were eye level and held my gaze as he spoke.

"If there is one thing that you will learn and remember about me, LaRusso, it is that I never 'let shit go', I enjoy revenge way too much."

I gulped, believing every word, "Explains why you don't have many friends Barnsie".

Instead of getting angry at my remark and the fact that I called him 'Barnsie', Mike responded by placing a single, light slap to my cheek.

"Exactly", he said, before pulling the sheet that was covering me off my bed, and throwing it to the floor. His face lost the smirk and once again became blank as he stood up. "Now hurry up and get out of bed, next time I come in, I won't be asking." With that he turned around and left.

I glared after him. I hated the air of dominance he exerted, because it was hard to ignore it...hmph, uppity bastard.

I was about to lie back down and go to sleep, Mike's threats be damned, until I heard raised voices coming from outside, okay, mostly I heard Barnsie's voice coming from outside, he was obviously yelling at Mr. Miyagi, but for what reason, I wasn't sure.

I was just about to climb out of bed when I heard my door open, I looked up and let out a sigh of relief, it was just Mr. Miyagi, I had thought Barnsie was going to come back in and vent his anger on me...again.

"Daniel-san." Mr. Miyagi stated.

Of course my relief was short lived.

"Hai?" I asked cautiously, I knew that tone, whatever he was going to say next I wasn't guaranteed to like.

"Daniel-san, you feeling better?"

"Yes." Oh dear...

"Good, you can teach".

My eyes widened. I didn't need him to clarify anything because I knew for a fact that since I was released from hospital, Mike has been put through some of Mr. Miyagi's 'alternative' methods of karate training.

"What? But Mr. Miyagi, come on, is that actually a good idea? We will end up killing each other...!"

Mr. Miyagi just gave me a stern look, so I corrected myself.

"Okay, okay, sorry, I will end up killing him, better?"

"Tch, you two as bad as each other, start today." Mr Miyagi nodded and then turned to leave.

"Wait! What do I teach him? And how?" I asked defeated, knowing I was never going to win this argument.

"You think of something."

Mr. Miyagi left, closing the door behind him.

I was completely lost, for those few seconds, until he called out, "Patience and peace."

'Patience and peace', huh? I grinned to myself because of the idea that came to my mind in connection with those two words. I knew exactly what kind of first task will make Mike 'peaceful'.

I felt an evil grin begin to grow on my face, but my happy moment was ruined when I felt a hot-headed presence invade my room.

Mike was standing at the door, staring at me with his arms crossed, he looked less than pleased, this just improved my mood.

"Don't think for one second I agree to this, LaRusso." He said with the air of someone trying to show indifference, but I knew deep down he hated the idea of me being his temporary 'sensei'.

I smirked at him, something I rarely use to do, it's like the bastard brings out the worst in me (or the best depending on how you look at things).

"I know you don't Barnes"

He frowned lowering his eyelids in a half glare... "Then what are you smiling about?"

"Anything that pisses you off brings me joy."

"Pfft, whatever, hurry up and get out of bed. You're burning sunlight."

"You sound like my mother." I retorted.

"Now! I want the geriatric off my back!" He snapped.

"Okay, relax, I'm getting up."

Barnes just glared at me and continued to stand there.

I raised my eyebrow at him. "A little privacy, that too much to ask?"

That seemed to catch him off guard, as if he didn't actually realise what he was doing, his eyes opened wide in shock for a second, then the glare returned comfortably back onto his face where it belonged.

"Fuck off." He snapped before walking out.

"As always, it's been a pleasure!" I called out, knowing he heard me.

Geez his bipolar mood swings were giving me a headache.

My eyes widened and I let out an annoyed huff. Great! His abrupt awakening made me forget my dream! Damn it...

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Daniel's POV –

I felt like a moron. An honest to God...what was it that my old neighbour use to say...oh yes, wanker, an honest to God wanker. No wanker more or less describes Barnsie and his drama queen ways. I felt like someone who was blindfolded and asked to find their way back to Reseda. Or, no, that analogy is terrible...

"Idiot, are we going to actually do anything or is this some hippie technique of 'karate training'?"

I was snapped out of my thoughts, as usual, by rude behaviour and stupid questions. My eyes focused on Barnes who was standing in front of me on the Japanese, wooden walk-way that Mr. Miyagi made me sand a few years ago.

This was going to be a hell of a long day, I thought, before I let out a sigh.

"Just give me a second would you?"

Barnes smirked at me, "You don't know what you're doing do you?"

I glared at him, "Actually I do, I'm just working out a way of teaching you that won't confuse that big, idiotic, empty brain of yours."

Barnes returned my glare, "I thought I was the bastard, according to you, and that you were the idiot."

"Who said that was even something that we mutually decided on?" I asked, exasperated.

"Our past track record of conversations indicate it, you moron." He answered back, adding emphasis to the word 'moron'.

"Only you would equate our banter as conversational."

"Don't use big words, LaRusso!"

"Why, your brain not catching on?"

"No it just doesn't suit you."

"You're such a snob!"

He was about to retaliate as usual, no surprise there, when I held my hand up to silence him.

"Just... shut up! And sit down, I've figured out how to approach this." I said, hoping he would comply.

Mike's POV –

I almost said no, almost, until I took in his bruised face and that fact that he was still moving around so gingerly. Damn it, my guilt, its' never bothered me before, but then again, no has ever done what LaRusso has done for me before either. You know, that self-sacrifice shit.

Even though I am a complete asshole, bastard, jerk, these words plus their synonyms and more (and I enjoyed being all these things, I liked being the karate 'bad boy'), I wasn't completely heartless. Or maybe I was and I just didn't like the fact that I owed anyone anything. People owe me for favours, not the other way round.

I bit my bottom lip to stop my retort, and then complied, mimicking LaRusso by sitting cross-legged in front of him.

"Okay." Was all he said, as he stared I raised my eyebrow at him, waiting for him to continue.

"So what does karate mean to you?" He asked, almost sheepishly. My left eye twitched.

"What? You seriously want to 'talk'?" I asked in disbelief and slight disgust.

"Yes." He answered, all uncertainty vanishing. Huh it seems he gains valor from conflict, or my distress.

"Fuck no."

"You have to."

"Why?"

"Because you were too stubborn at the meditating idea. So instead we are going to talk."

"This is stupid."

"Just shut up and do it."

"Stop ordering me around like that."

"What, you want me to say it 'nicely'?" Is he mocking me? "Never knew you were so sensitive Barnsie." He's mocking me!

"I will beat you."

"There ya go, that's the Barnsie I know and love!"

"What?" The hell is he on about?

He paused, realising what he said. "It's an expression... just... shut up, you know what I mean."

My turn to mock, "Or maybe I don't."

"I will not elaborate; now answer my previous fucking question!"

There was a long pause.

"Well?" He pushed.

"I don't know how to fucking answer that dumb question of yours." What the hell was I meant to say? I never really thought about my reasons for choosing karate of all things to do, or maybe I did, but never in that deeply girly sense that LaRusso was talking about.

"Sheesh just how restricting is that brain of yours?"

"Well why don't you fucking answer as an example!" I snapped, irritated to the point of wanting to get away from this stupid conversation, but not before slugging LaRusso one in the face for being an annoying, little-...

"Do you want the full version or the short of it?" He asked, well go figure, he was actually going to do it.

"Short version." I muttered, the sooner we get this over with the better.

"Mr. Miyagi started teaching me karate about two years ago, I needed to learn for self defence, and surprisingly I became very good at it." He shrugged at his last statement.

My curiosity peaked after a long pause, "Wait a minute, that's it? That's all you're going to share?"

"You asked for the short version." He retaliated, obviously annoyed.

I smirked, "That was more like a blurb."

"'Blurb' huh? I didn't know you knew that word."

"Don't be a smart ass! Now tell me the fucking story. You said you 'needed' to learn..."

He waited, expecting me to elaborate, but I didn't, "Yeah, so?"

"Why did you 'need' to learn?" I already knew a part of the reason, his 'friend' or whatever, blondie... Johnny, already said that he use to attack LaRusso, but I wanted to hear it from LaRusso. Also, I wanted to see if his reasons were similar to mine.

"Why do you care anyway? Didn't Kreese or Silver explain anything to you?"

"No." I snapped.

"Don't get defensive, it was just a question."

"Well they fucking didn't!"

"Why are you getting angry?"

"Because you're avoiding the subject!"

"So are you, you hypocrite!"

He was right, I was getting riled up and deep down I knew why, but I didn't want to say it, nor dwell on it.

"Is it because they didn't explain shit to you? They just offered you a nice house, a bunch of losers for friends, and lots of money? Are you feeling... guilty Barnes?"

"If you don't shut the fuck up, I will hit you!" I snarled at him.

"We are getting nowhere, and I've had enough of arguing with you." He let out a sigh, gently rubbing the area on his forehead which held the most damage from the accident. For some reason seeing this settled me down some.

"Then stop being a stubborn ass and answer the question." I said.

"When I first moved to Reseda I was at the beach with my neighbour and his friends, I saw this girl there, Ali her name was, blonde, pretty, she really caught my eye."

I snorted.

"What?"

"There is always some chick involved in one of these stories."

"Yeah no kidding. Anyway, we were all having a good time when a group of guys on dirt bikes decided to crash the party. The ring leader, who was Ally's ex, started messing around with her, making her angry. I tried to stop it-..."

"And you got your ass kicked?" I asked, enjoying the story as soon as I found out LaRusso got his ass handed to him...again.

LaRusso obviously heard the mirth in my voice because he glared at me, "Yes."

"Man you're weak, what kind of wannabe hero loses to someone he challenges?"

"You mean besides you? The kind of 'wannabe hero' who goes up against a karate student plus all his friends."

"Fuck off, and he couldn't have been that strong."

"He was a black belt and an ass who used karate for all the wrong reasons, just like you."

I snorted, "Who was this kid?" I asked with a sense of pride, "I want to meet him."

"You already have, it was Johnny."

I should have guessed that that particular incident had involved Johnny. I didn't know what to say, so I didn't say anything.

"So after that incident, Johnny and his friends kept targeting me. Then on Halloween I decided to pull a prank on them, they chased me to my apartment, beat me and then Mr. Miyagi saved me, after defending himself very well of course."

"That old coot beat a group of black belts?"

LaRusso gave me this look, the type of look I've gotten before when, on a rare occasion, I've asked a stupid question.

"Well let me think, he beat an ex army nut-job and his friend who were both black belts plus their little 'Igor' who was also an apparent karate black belt bad-ass, so yes, I would confidently think that there is no one he can't defeat."

I frowned.

"Are you fucking indirectly mocking me again?" I snapped, who was he talking about?

He just stared at me deadpanned, "No." He answered.

Yeah right, "Tch, whatever, continue would you."

"After I woke, I asked Mr. Miyagi to teach me karate so that I could fight back. He said that karate was and is designed for self defence, not for attacking, so he refused. We then mutually agreed to talk to Kreese at Cobra Kai; obviously he declined any civil way of solving the matter, and told us that if I wasn't ready to fight his students by the upcoming karate tournament, that it would be 'open season' for Mr. Miyagi and I. I was taught, I was challenged at the tournament, and then I won. End of story."

"You learn karate to fight."

"No, I learn karate so that I don't have to fight, that's what it means to me."

There was another long pause, "That is the dumbest fucking answer ever."

"You swear way too much to be considered healthy." He said in obvious distaste, ignoring the fact that I just insulted his precious answer.

"Shut it, so you learned how to fight so that you didn't have to fight?"

"Yes!" He huffed, obviously annoyed.

"That doesn't make any sense!" He was about to open his mouth, probably to take another jab at my 'low' intelligence, but I stopped him, "And no, not because I have a low brain capacity..." His mouth closed at that, "...but because you're actions contradict your reasons!"

"I can't explain it to you when you're obviously so against the idea of 'peace', but you will eventually understand."

"Doubt it."

"What's your reason, then?"

"I learned a style of fighting so that I could fight! See, that makes perfect sense!"

"Whatever!" He snapped at me, ending the argument, "Now that we have established some type of 'ground' to work on we can continue. You chose karate in order to fight, so we have to change that, we have to get you to choose to learn and use karate in the future, in order to keep the peace."

I grimaced at the very idea, "Good luck with that, you're going to need it." I said vehemently.

"I don't need luck, at the end you're going to want to do it for yourself."

"Why would I ever choose not to fight?" I asked in bewilderment.

He shrugged, "Your situation could be compromised."

"Big words again, LaRusso." I said in a warning tone.

"You might be stuck in a situation where fighting won't help." He elaborated.

"Tch, yeah right."

"Ok Barnsie, up you get." He said in an overly bright tone, as he stood up.

"Why?"

"Lesson number one: patience comes from caring for something vulnerable."

"Oh God, you're not going to buy me a pet are you? I hate animals."

"No, something better, with a sick sense of twisted irony thrown into the mix." He responded happily, before walking towards the back of the garden.

I followed him, with slight intrigue if I have to admit. What was he going to get me to do?

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Daniel's POV –

"This is stupid." Barnsie complained.

I rolled my eyes, what a child.

"No its not, now shut up and keep snipping." I said from beside him while I flipped through a magazine.

"But it looks ugly." If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was pouting internally, but Barnes is an asshole, and assholes don't pout.

"Did you visualise it in your head?" I asked in a condescending tone.

"Yes." He snapped back, obviously irritated.

"Does your visual keep changing?"

"..."

No response, so that's a yes then. I smiled in satisfaction at being right.

"You need to take your time, you can't rush these things. That's why your visual keeps getting altered. Just relax, breath, and visualise. If your patient, your mind will recreate the same visual every time you revisit it."

He let out a huff and kept snipping, "It doesn't make it any less stupid."

"Well it's either this or meditating, take your pick."

Silence.

"Yeah, that's what I thought."

"Daniel-san!" I heard Mr. Miyagi call out after another 15 minutes of silence, with the occasional annoyed huff and "this is fucking stupid" being emitted from Barnes.

"In the garden shed!" I called back.

I looked up when I heard the creak of the old metal door, and Mr. Miyagi's footsteps entering the shed.

There was another silence as Mr. Miyagi took in the scene before him, "Hm, bonsai tree, for generating patience, good job, Daniel-san."

"Thank you." I responded proudly.

"A little ironic." Mr. Miyagi said, pleased, before leaving, obviously remembering the time when Barnes nearly destroyed his invaluable bonsai tree on the cliff's edge.

I laughed at that, while Barnes just huffed and cussed some more.

"Come on Barnsie, if you're a good sport I will give you a cookie afterwards- ouch!"

He had thrown a packet of bird seeds at my head.

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Mike's POV –

"'Stupid', 'idiot', 'shut up' and 'fucking': they are the only words in your entire vocabulary aren't they?"

"You forgot 'moron', LaRusso." I responded, with an almost bored tone, as I hit the pad in LaRusso's hand.

His eye twitched at that, it was almost comical.

After I was resorted to an entire fucking afternoon of trimming bonsai leaves until I got it right (stupid little trees) the sun was finally setting on this God forsaken day. The old coot had an elsewhere to be (visiting some Japanese family who lived on the other side of the city) and the Prima-Donna finally decided to resort to some actual karate lessons.

Which was why I was bored because LaRusso had to have full control (I could only hit the pads when he indicated so) and this lesson was meant to display and put into use the apparent 'peace' that his precious bonsai trees were meant to stimulate. Again, stupid little trees...

"So you're reason for choosing to learn karate..." LaRusso started to say, before holding up the pad.

"What about it?" I asked, cautiously, before I hit the pad. I already didn't like where this question was going.

"You said you wanted to learn so that you could fight." He held up both arms.

I didn't say anything as I punched both the pads.

"Why did you feel the need to fight?" LaRusso continued.

"What?" I asked, defensively. I really didn't like where this was going.

"Well, I told you I had to protect myself. But you never told me your reasons. Why did you grow up wanting to fight so much? What made you?"

Punch.

He just had to go there.

Punch.

"Barnes?"

Punch.

He can't take a hint, can he?

Punch.

"Barnes!"

"Let it go, LaRusso..."

"Come on, it can't be that bad! You can tell me."

"Yes it can be, and no, I don't want to tell you anything because there is nothing to tell!"

My punching got so fierce that he had to pull the gloves away so that I would stop, it didn't calm my anger though.

"It's not good keeping things bottled in." He gave me this look, he pitied me. This just made my mood worse.

"And why the fuck not?" I said, not really caring anymore that I wasn't denying it, "Why the fuck can't I just ignore what I want?" I asked, my volume increasing per word, "Why is it so important for you to be so touchy feely about things? Talking doesn't solve anything!"

"Bullshit, it does too!"

"Damn it!" I shouted at him, taking off the boxing gloves I was wearing, "I'm so sick of this, I've had it with you!"

"Then why are you staying? Why are you letting yourself?"

"Because I have no choice!"

"Says who?"

"Both of you!"

"What, the karate 'bad boy' can't face off against a kid who is smaller than he or an old man?"

"Fuck you LaRusso, you know I have no say in this!"

"No, you know what? I will tell you what I do know. I know, for certain that you are keeping yourself here, not us, nothing stops a man who is strong willed when he wants to do something. You easily take and accept our threats of control and you barely fight it. So you know what I think? I think, that the reason you aren't running away, or 'escaping' as you put it, is because for once in your life, you have a family that cares about you and you know that you would be stupid to leave because once you lose us, you won't be able to find anyone else who gives a damn about you unless there is something in it for them!"

"Shut up!" I'm not responsible if I lash out at him now, he's pushed me too far.

"And what's worse, is that you are probably denying it! You easily deny that anybody could care about you so selflessly, well guess what Barnes? Not everybody are assholes like your parents!"

That cut deeper than anything else.

"I said shut up!"

I hit him, square in the face, so hard in fact that the force slammed him into the wall behind him.

He wasn't expecting it, so he didn't have time to brace himself from the impact. He landed on the ground, groaning in pain, curled up in the foetal position. I was satisfied with his reaction and with what I did, that is until I noticed a particular detail. It wasn't his face he was cradling, it was his stomach... fuck I forgot about his damn injuries.

There was this foreign feeling that suddenly overwhelmed me, slowly creeping into my senses, I only realised afterwards that it was guilt, I was starting to feel guilty. I approached LaRusso immediately, landing on my knees beside him, now feeling incredibly stupid that I had forgotten about his injuries. The punch wasn't even worth it anymore, not if I felt like this afterwards.

'Great. Way to vent your anger Barnes, especially when LaRusso was right.'

Tch, fuck off...stupid voice...

"LaRusso..." I said, not knowing what to do.

"What?"

"Are...are you-...?" Okay, are you okay? Why couldn't I say it?

"I don't know." Great answer Daniel, make me feel like shit why don't you.

'Well you deserve it', a voice said somewhere in my head...

Shut up.

I ignored my thoughts and placed my hand on his shoulder, rolling him onto his back. His hands were still cradling his stomach, I frowned at this, pushing his hands away, and pulling up his shirt to observe the damage. But before I could have a closer look, he pulled his shirt back down. I nearly told him off, but when I looked up I winced internally when I saw his face, I had also cut his lip, blood was slowly seeping from it. Damn it.

I snapped myself out of my thoughts when I realised I was staring at him.

"Don't need to be so shy." I said, mocking him just a little for pulling his shirt down.

"Fuck you." He hissed. I frowned again; he was in a worse condition than he was letting on.

"C'mon LaRusso." I said, I grabbed onto his shoulders and helped him sit in an upright position.

He groaned in pain, eyes scrunching up and his head landing on my shoulder.

"Can you stand?" I asked, trying not to show too much concern and also trying to hide the fact that him resting on my shoulder was a little unnerving.

"Only if you help me."

I almost snorted, "Obviously."

I gently pushed him away from me, so that I could stand and pull him up. Only when I had pushed him away did I realise I was holding my breath. I gently released it so he wouldn't notice, but the fact that I had held my breath to begin with fucking confused me immensely. Yes I know a word like 'immensely'.

We didn't speak again until I had helped him lay down on his bed.

"I thought you had light abrasions." I asked, slight irritation seeping through my voice. LaRusso noticed it.

He frowned at me, "It wasn't a lie. These are light; only needed two or three stitches each."

"Each? Show me."

"No."

"Don't f-...", I took a deep breath, I needed to calm down, "Don't fuck with me right now LaRusso, let me see, if your stitches have come undone your ass is going straight back to hospital."

"You refer to my 'ass' a lot." He stated, in a tone that I didn't like.

"Shut up." I responded automatically, before having a closer look at the stitches on his chest.

His bruises seemed darker than they did this afternoon (every now and then I had caught a glimpse of them when his shirt rode up). However what was worse was that there were a few gashes spread out, hidden amongst his heavy bruising, and they were all bleeding.

I was about to scold him for being an idiot and not telling me that he had fucking gashes which were apparently bad enough to have to have stitches in each one; but then I looked at his face again and couldn't bring myself to do it.

"You have pulled at them a bit, but other than that they are fine." I said, before pulling his shirt down, bad move, because he noticed something that, earlier today, I had said I didn't want him to pester me about.

"Did ...hey what happened to your knuckles?" He picked up my hand, pulling it towards his face for a closer look.

"Nothing", I snapped, pulling my hand away from his grasp, I knew he would notice that eventually.

"Yeah right."

"Why ask if you know I won't give you an answer you like?" I asked him, irritated once again.

"One day you might humour me and comply." Pfft, is he for real?

"Yeah right." I answered again.

There was a silence after that, an awkward one, because I knew by the look on his face that he wanted to ask me something. He didn't look afraid, but instead more uncertain about my reaction.

I sighed, "What do you want me to do?"

If he was surprised at my ability to read him, he didn't show it, "I'm not going to force you to do anything."

"You've been forcing me to do stuff all day."

"Not like this, I haven't."

"Why the fuck not?" I know what he wanted to ask me now.

"I won't force you to do something so out of character."

I didn't say anything in retaliation, probably because that remark actually hurt me, I'm not sure why though. I've never felt so ashamed for my lack of humanity then I did right then. I almost got up and left the room but I didn't, because for once, I was going to 'humour' him.

"Wait here."

"I can't really go anywhere."

"Shut up."

Daniel's POV -

I watched him leave the room and then I laid my head back onto my pillow, but not before groaning again in pain from the movement.

I didn't blame him, honestly I didn't. It was my fault. I had wanted to know what could have caused Mike to take the destructive road as his lifestyle choice and by taking a guess, a good guess, I had found my answer. But that didn't leave me feeling any better about the situation, because just what kind of parents did Barnes have if it caused him to become such a defensive, angry and violent person?

And unforgiving... especially unforgiving. I wonder if he realises just how much he hates himself? I'm not usually this perceptive. I just took Barnsie's behaviour as him overcompensating for something. But it was Mr. Miyagi who had pulled me aside today, before I joined Barnes for our training, and told me to figure him out, told me that no one acts accordingly (or un-accordingly) without a reason.

I just didn't expect for him to be right, because now, I have to sympathise with him. Why? Because it was in my nature to feel sorry for everyone, no matter how much of an ass they are.

Barnes returned after 5 minutes, walking through my door holding the first aid items that my doctor had given me, 'just in case', she had said. Hmm she must've known that I was an idiot and that Barnsie was temperamental...

That thought halted in its' tracks when I realised that Barnes actually came through, knew what it was that I had wanted, and proceeded to actually help me out. Well, looks like there is hope for him yet.

"No need to look so surprised, idiot." He said, while placing the items on my bedside table.

"And here I thought I had on an excellent poker face."

He just snorted. The corners of my lips twitched at that, against my will I might add.

I proceeded to sit up so that I could reach for the medical supplies and get started, but I was in for a second surprise that night.

No sooner had I placed my hands flat on the bed so that I could raise myself, Barnes gently shoved me back down, his hand pushing at my collar bone.

"What are you...?"

"Sitting up like that won't help the bleeding, idiot."

"So, what you're going to do it?" I asked in disbelief.

He just gave me this look that clearly stated that I was an idiot.

"But..."

"Shut up, if I let you do it, you will get blood all over the place, then the old coot will give me shit about it for the next few weeks." Why was he starting to look uncomfortable?

Hmm, scratch that, I think I might know why.

"Oh, I see, so you're only doing this so that Mr. Miyagi doesn't tell you off for letting me bleed to death, is that it?"

"Exactly."

"So it's not because you're feeling guilty that you hurt me, again I might add, and that you're actually starting to grow a little humanity in that cold, empty place where your heart should be?"

"Are you actually smoking anything illegal, LaRusso, because you sound like an idiot with the shit your spinning."

"Interesting I was going to ask you the same thing, marijuana does cause mood swings you know." I retorted, while sitting back up again.

"I don't have mood swings!"

I nodded, "Mmm hmm, more than a pregnant woman...ouch!"

In order to shut me up, Barnes had placed medical alcohol on a swab, lifted my shirt and had placed it on one of the stitches, all in under 3 seconds.

"You bastard." I hissed at him as I laid back down, my jaw clenching at the pain.

"You'll get over it." Great, Barnsie sounded pleased at my discomfort.

"I hate you."

"Likewise LaRusso."

After that we fell into a complete silence (with only the occasional hiss from me at the pain of a fresh swab) and it was then I realised just how awkward this was. My shirt was pulled up, I was lying down, and Barnes was sitting beside me on my bed, leaning over me, his hand holding a swab to one of my angered stitches, while his other hand was pressed against my arm for support.

The only time the awkwardness stopped was when he moved to change the swab, and then proceeded to clean another wound. It was the waiting period, the time when he keeps the swab on the stitches until it needs to be removed, which was making me uncomfortable.

I tried looking at anywhere but him, but it was hard not to. How often could I, or anyone, be allowed to stare at Mike Barnes, unnoticed, while he wasn't angry, irritated or guarded (or more often than not, all three)?

His face was currently neutral of emotion, but held concentration, as he cleaned my stitches. I had to look away, otherwise he would have gotten that prickling feeling that someone gets when they are being watched and then he would have noticed me staring.

Maybe I should break the silence? 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...I should break the silence.

"H-how bad is it?" I asked, trying to look down at my chest, but his hand was holding my arm firmly in place.

"The bleeding has stopped."

I huffed, a little irritated, "That didn't answer my question", I said, while looking at him.

A slight frown formed on his face, "Well it should."

"You're impossible."

"And you're an idiot." He said, just as he reapplied a new swab to what felt like the last of my wounds.

I bit my lip, trying not to show just how much that last swab had fucking hurt.

Then I felt a slap at my cheek and something warm sliding down my chin, all at the same time.

"Don't do that!"

"You just slapped me!"

"You just reopened the cut on your lip."

"Big deal." I grumbled; pride a little wounded at the fact that I just got slapped.

"It is a big deal because now I have something extra to clean."

I frowned, "You don't have to-..."

"Yes I do." He snapped, in a tone that indicated the end of this particular conversation.

"I think I prefer you better when you inflict my wounds, not treat them."

"Don't be an ungrateful, little bitch LaRusso."

I tend to not think before I speak, so I bit my tongue so that I wouldn't retort. He had a point, for once, so I had to shut up.

Silence fell on us once again. Talking was no use, as every time we conversed it became hostile. We always seemed to fall into an argument or disagreement, so why the hell did I think it was a good idea to talk to him?... Oh yeah, the awkwardness...damn it...

Barnes finally pulled his hand away and for a moment I was happy, he was finally done, and then he grabbed my chin, and my happiness died, I forgot about my lip.

"Sit up." He ordered, letting go of my chin after having a look at my cut lip.

I slowly raised myself up, being careful not to rupture my stitches again. I leaned against the head of my bed and waited.

Barnes placed his fingers against the side of my jaw and angled my head upwards, his face coming inches within my own as he placed his thumb on my bottom lip and pulled it down. With his other hand he used the last cotton swab to clean the cut.

While he did this I stared, again I couldn't help it. I came to notice and realise a few things now. First Barnes had really bright blue eyes, he had a few freckles scattered across his nose, just a few, and his lips were a light peach colour. Huh, he really was pretty; I hadn't just been saying that.

'Sure you hadn't.' Said a voice in my head that sounded scarily like Barnes himself.

I chose to ignore it, stupid voice, so I resumed in staring at him. This time, I really had no choice; he was right fucking in front of me!

I was snapped out of the moment though, because I realised, just what the hell was Barnes doing? This wasn't like him, this...gentle behaviour. My entire demeanour changed, I had tensed up (which made me realise that I allowed myself to relax in this situation).

I think he too noticed my behaviour. Barnes stopped what he was doing and looked up; he must have seen the realisation in my eyes, because he froze completely and stared at me, like a deer caught in headlights.

Great, talk about the awkwardness rising even possibly higher.

We stared at each other for a few seconds, and then Barnes all of a sudden let go of me, muttered a quick "Done" under his breath and left the room.

I stared at my door for a few seconds before letting out a slow breath. What the hell just happened here? He didn't have to leave. It wasn't that awkward, unless something else other than the fact that he was actually being nice to me was bothering him. I huffed and lay back down, a little pissed at Barnes for making the situation worse.

"Great, just when we were making progress today, we are back to day one all over again." I said to myself, unaware at the time that Barnes was right outside my door.

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Thanks for reading and I hope you liked this chapter. :)