A/N: Ok so I know I said I'll post this Sunday, but I was still working on it yesterday. So here it is today! I'm so sorry if Daniel and Mr. Miyagi seem OOC. This chapter was really challenging, but I really wanted to have a chapter where Daniel completely breaks down.

As usual I don't own Karate Kid. Anyways enjoy!

Chapter 8 I Dream of Home

"Ow," Daniel shouted as Miyagi rubbed the special cream on his shoulder.

Miyagi ignored the boy's protests and continued applying the cream.

"Ow ow," Daniel continued, "This stuff burns."

"Heals good though," Miyagi said.

He continued to apply the cream and dress the boy's wounds. Every so often Daniel would mutter some protest, which Miyagi would quickly stifle. The boy's many injuries needed tending. Daniel groaned again and Miyagi shushed him. If he ever wanted to heal properly then Miyagi needed to finish his work.

"Miyagi done," he announced as he finished dressing the last wound.

"Now what?" Daniel asked irritated.

"You rest now," Miyagi ordered.

"But Mr. Miyagi I can't sleep now!" Daniel protested.

Miyagi merely tutted the boy silencing him.

"You sleep," he ordered, "Miyagi be back in awhile."

Before the boy could protest anymore he left the room. Leaving the room will be the only way for the boy to rest. If Miyagi stayed Daniel would only protest and he would never get any of that much needed rest.

Miyagi ventured around the campus. It was a nice place. Maybe Daniel should go to college. He came across athe campus's grass court-yard where a lone figure stood.

The figure was a teenage girl with auburn hair. She was practicing karate moves by herself. Miyagi smiled. She reminded him of Daniel when he was first learning karate. To his surprise she started to practice blocking using wax on, wax off.

"Ah wax on, wax off," Mr. Miyagi said pleased as he walk up to the girl.

"That's right," the girl said.

"Miyagi's favorite," he responded.

"Mr. Miyagi," the girl muttered, "You're Daniel's teacher."

"Hai," he said, "And you friend of Daniel-san?"

"I guess," she said sounding hurt, "I'm Heather."

Miyagi figured from the tone of Heather's voice that her relationship with his student was a touchy subject. He decided not to press it.

"Heather-chan are you karate student?" Miyagi asked changing the subject.

"No, but my brother is," she answered.

"Ah," Miyagi said nodding, "Did Daniel-San teach you?"

"Mm-hm," Heather said concentrating.

Miyagi watched her for a minute. She had potential. This girl Heather was gentle yet tough. She was spirited there was no denying it. An interesting match for his student.

"Daniel-San good teacher," Miyagi said pleased, "He taught you well."

"He has a good teacher," Heather complemented.

"Thank you," Miyagi bowed.

Heather smiled and bowed in response.

"What else did Daniel-san teach?" he asked her.

xXXx

Miyagi tutted the girl.

"Eye contact," he corrected, "Look at me, keep eye contact. "

Heather nodded and focused. Miyagi was right, Daniel was a good teacher. In a short while he managed to teach the girl how to block and punch. It also helped the fact that she was fast learner. It was around lunchtime now and the tournament's events would soon break for lunch. Miyagi soon found his new student getting frustrated.

"Time to break for lunch," Miyagi interrupted his new student's growing frustration.

"Mr. Miyagi I can get it, one more chance please," Heather protested.

"Enough for today," Miyagi told her, "Meet tomorrow."

Heather hesitated. She wanted to continue. She wanted to get it right. She was determined like Daniel.

Miyagi smiled and said, "Mother would not like if Miyagi kept you from eating lunch, go I'll see you tomorrow."

The girl nodded and bowed before taking off to the cafeteria. Miyagi smiled. Maybe this girl would be a keeper. There was no denying it that there was something going on between the two teenagers. Even if Daniel hadn't mentioned her yet, Miyagi could tell when he brought up Daniel's name that Heather had some emotional ties to him. He wished them best since it seemed at the moment that two's relationship whatever it may be was a little stormy.

Speaking of Daniel, Miyagi knew he would need tending to. Not only did Daniel's wounds need tending, but he himself did too. Selling his soul to the devil will be without a doubt emotionally trying for the boy. Miyagi would need to be there for him. He hurried off to Daniel's room to tend to his student.

KK

Daniel woke with a start drenched in a cold sweat. The dream was so real that it took Daniel a few minutes to realize that it was only a dream. The dorm room was still the same so that was enough to convince him that he was still at the tournament and not in Hell. Once he was assured Daniel decided to do damage control. His body was still sore and Mr. Miyagi had taken care of his other wounds. But, the brand was still there. It was dark and angry and sent shivers down Daniel's spine. If it wasn't for that nasty brand Daniel might of forget what situation he was in. As the events of the past two days hit him Daniel buried his head in his hands.

The door opened and Mr. Miyagi let himself in.

"Daniel-san are you alright?" he asked greatly concerned.

Daniel looked up. He realized he must look like an absolute mess. He must of have been pale with his hair matted down with sweat.

"I'm alright," he lied, "Never better."

Mr. Miyagi gave him a scolding look. Daniel sighed. Of course he saw right through him, Mr. Miyagi always did. There was no hiding from him. Daniel sighed again as Miyagi sat down next him and begin to redress his wounds. He gritted his teeth, but didn't mutter a sound this time. It still hurt like the last time, but Daniel was numb.

"I really screwed up this time didn't I?" Daniel asked bitterly.

Mr. Miyagi didn't answer. He just continued his work.

"That's all I am, a big screw-up," he continued brokenly, "I can't do anything right. Every time I try to help someone or do something by myself I ruin it."

Mr. Miyagi had stopped working at this point.

"I'm worthless I'm worthless," Daniel suddenly shouted.

He pounded his hand against the bed side table and broke down crying.

"Mr. Miyagi you might as well go back home, there's no use in trying to fight back," he said through his tears, "I'm a lost cause."

Mr. Miyagi suddenly grabbed him by the shoulders and forced him to look him in the eyes.

"Daniel-san if you talk like that then you already lost battle," Mr. Miyagi told him.

"What am I to do?" Daniel asked still crying.

"Do what you always do, try hard and try your best," Mr. Miyagi told him, "But first get some more rest."

"Mr. Miyagi I can't sleep right now," Daniel said drying his eyes, "Not when my life is on the line."

"Daniel-san won't do well unless you get some rest."

"And what do you suggest?"

"Drink tea."

"Is that your remedy for everything?" Daniel asked cracking a small smile.

"Hai," Miyagi said nodding as he handed him a cup.

Daniel took the cup and took a small sip. He let Mr. Miyagi continue to dress his wounds without as much as a word. Daniel tried to keep awake, but as he continue to drink his tea his eyes grew heavier and heavier.

KK

Miyagi did not know this boy. This wasn't the same boy he met a year ago. This wasn't him. The Daniel he knows was confident yet cocky. He never backed down from a fight and always had something to say. He also kept Miyagi on his toes as he tried to keep track on of the boy and keep him out of danger. This Daniel was different. He was broken and quiet. It was like his spirit was crushed. Maybe the damage done was more than Miyagi had thought. It would take a lot of time for him to heal. For the moment all Miyagi could do was help heal his physical wounds and help him try to get some sleep. That was what the tea was for.

"I never should of left," Daniel said tiredly, "Then I wouldn't be in this mess."

"Everyone makes mistakes that's what makes them human," Miyagi said wisely.

"Yeah but I make more mistakes than the average human," Daniel added.

"Part of growing up," Miyagi explained.

To his surprise Daniel didn't counter. Miyagi looked up. The boy had fallen asleep. His head rested on his arm ad he was propped up against the headboard. Miyagi quietly moved the boy so his head rested on the pillow. Then he proceeded to adjust the boy so that his body wad positioned more comfortably on the bed. Miyagi finished by tucking him in. After that he quickly put away his supplies and was heading to leave the room. Miyagi snuck one last look at his student. Daniel looked so much younger. The boy looked even smaller as he slept in his battered state. Miyagi hoped that he and Daniel would be able to succeed. They had too. If they didn't then Daniel was going to be lost forever.

A/N: Stay tuned for the next chapter! I'll have it up as soon as possible. My schedule is really weird this week. Anyways hoped you enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you soon. R&R!