A/N: Another long wait, I'm sorry! This chapter was a struggle to write and I'm not really pleased with how it came out. I hope you like it. Warning a lot of Daniel abuse is in this chapter.

I really wish I own Karate Kid!

Chapter 13 In Search of the Flame Part 1

The next morning Daniel was sitting in the locker room when Miyagi found him. The boy had his back turned to him, but Miyagi already knew what the boy was feeling. Even without seeing his face. Daniel was in a difficult place right now. His whole life was in the balance. Everything he ever knew was on the line. If Daniel won he was free to go. Free to continue live his life as he been living it. If he lost that was a different story. Daniel would be taken away from his mother and Miyagi and under the cruel tutelage of Mr. Legba he would eventually morph into the jerk he was facing today. He being Daniel would try to resist the transformation, but there will be no stopping it. Miyagi hoped for the boy's sake he would win. Letting his presence known to the boy he sat down next to him.

"Mr. Miyagi I don't know if I can do this," Daniel told him.

"Daniel-san what are other choices?" Miyagi asked him.

Daniel buried his face in his hands.

"There is none," he said sadly.

Miyagi rested his hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Miyagi have faith in you Daniel-san," he told the boy, "And so does mother."

Daniel didn't move from his spot. Miyagi cleared his throat. He had one more shot.

"There's a little girl out there rooting for you Daniel-san and Miyagi believe she wants more than anything to see you try and return safely to her," he told him.

Daniel looked up. Miyagi had him.

"Really?" Daniel asked.

"Hai," Miyai answered.

Daniel got up and began tying his black belt. A determined look was plastered on his face. Miyagi smiled. Teenage boys in love. They would cross the most impossible places for the ones they say they loved. Even if it was just puppy love. But Miyagi didn't think this was just puppy love. There was something deeper about Daniel and Heather's relationship. When he was with Ali and when the two were fighting they made up pretty quick. Unlike Heather. Daniel had to fight and fight he did to win her back. It gave their relationship a complexity as the two tried to prove their love; making it deeper than puppy love.

"Hey Mr. Miyagi what if I lose control again?" Daniel asked interrupting his thoughts.

"Concentrate," Miyagi said simply.

"Yeah but-" Daniel protested.

"Concentrate on the fight and when you find yourself slipping away focus on loved ones," Miyagi expanded.

"You mean like you, my ma, and Heather?" Daniel asked.

"Hai," Miyagi confirmed.

Daniel turned around and Miyagi helped him tie his headband.

"Do you think I've learned enough?" he asked.

Miyagi looked at the boy. His student. It was hard to believe that only a year ago Miyagi had saved him from a group of bullies. And that same year he saved him from his best friend's revengeful nephew. Now Miyagi couldn't save him. This was Daniel's fight. It was time to let Daniel fight his own battles.

That was the difficult part though, because not only had Miyagi gain a student to watch out for, he gained a friend. But Daniel was more than both a a student and a friend, he was the son he never had. Losing him would be unbearable and Miyagi knew he would never forgive himself if something happen to him.

"How much learned does not matter what matter is what you do with what you learn," Miyagi offered.

Daniel smiled.

"I'll never forget you," he said.

Daniel came up to give Miyagi hug, but he stopped him. Miyagi bowed and the boy followed. The sounds of an excited crowd could suddenly be heard, signaling the inevitable. It was time for Daniel to fight.

"Time to go Daniel-san," Miyagi said gravely.

"Yeah," Daniel answered scared.

The two left the locker room and walked out into the gym. The stands were full of screaming fans prepared to watch the best match of the tournament. Miyagi watched his student. Daniel's eyes were wide as he searched the crowd. Miyagi thought he might run back into the locker room. But he didn't; instead he turn to face Miyagi.

"Mr. Miyagi can you do one more thing for me?"Daniel asked desperately.

"Anything," he told the boy.

"Will you look after Heather during the match?" Daniel pleaded, "Not that she needs it; I'll feel better knowing she's safe."

Miyagi nodded. He will do what his student asked. Daniel bowed to him and Miyagi followed suit. And with that the two parted. Daniel to the center of the gym and Miyagi to Heather.

Heather stood in the stands looking absolutely nervous. Even when she wasn't the one fighting she was scared. Her dark hair was tied back in a braid and Miyagi smiled seeing her wear the gi Yukie made Daniel. Heather spotted him and walked towards him.

"Oh Mr. Miyagi I'm so nervous?" she told him as she stood next to him.

"Daniel-san will do alright," Miyagi told her.

"How do you know for sure?" she asked.

"Because Daniel-san have strong roots like bonsai tree, he'll always do right," Miyagi explained.

Heather nodded. She took his word for it.

"Just like you," Miyagi continued.

"Pardon," she said.

"Not your time to go yet," he told her.

"How can you be sure?" she asked.

"You have strong roots too," Miyagi explained.

Heather smiled.

"Thank you," she said, "For everything."

"You're very welcome Heather-chan," he said.

At this moment of time the announcer had announced that the match had begun. Miyagi watched as Daniel and the older Daniel bow officially signaling the beginning of the match. Both Daniels prepared and very easily Daniel scored the first point. Miyagi smiled as he easily scored a second point. So far so good.

But it didn't last. The older Daniel looked ticked that his younger self had two points before him. Miyagi became worried. And he had a reason to; for the next point that was scored was by older Daniel slamming his foot in Daniel's abdomen. Daniel gasped in pain and fell to his knees. Heather suddenly grabbed Miyagi's hand and squeezed it. Miyagi watched concern as Daniel staggered to his feet. He appeared winded and Miyagi didn't blame him. That kick looked like it hurt. Daniel prepared to strike, but was rewarded with a few more punches. The boy barely managed to block a few, but still took quite a few hits.

Miyagi watched the match. As it continued the more Daniel managed to get a point, the more violent the older Daniel got. The older Daniel fought dirty and knew where to hit. When Daniel scored he was instantly met with a painful kick or punch. The boy was getting beat. Every time the boy tried to block, the older one would sike him out. Then he would just get hurt worse than before. Meanwhile Heather had moved on from Miyagi's hand to clinging onto his shoulder. Daniel's beating was just as hard for her to watch as it was for Miyagi.

Finally after what seemed like forever the referee called a break. Miyagi was relieved. He watched as Daniel limped to the sidelines.

"Come on," Miyagi urged the teenage girl clinging into him.

Miyagi walked down to where Daniel was with Heather still holding onto him. The moment she was by Daniel's side she let go of Miyagi and grabbed Daniel's hand.

"Sorry," Heather said as Daniel hissed.

Daniel gave her a small smile before turning his attention to Miyagi.

"Mr. Miyagi I'm getting crushed," he gasped.

"Where does it hurt?" Miyagi asked him.

"Everywhere," Daniel groaned.

Miyagi examined the boy. From only a short time in the mat Daniel had more bruises than he did the other day. Older Daniel knew where to hit it where it hurts. Miyagi looked up. From across the way he could see Mr. Legba instructing the older Daniel. Mr. Legba wore a devious grin. He enjoyed watching Daniel's pain. The older Daniel however ignored his sensei. He had his own style. Miyagi returned to his attention to his student.

"Mr. Miyagi I don't think I can continue," Daniel sighed.

Heather tighten her grip on him. Miyagi looked at him sternly.

"Daniel-san already in fight might as well finish it," Miyagi said sternly.

Daniel looked down. Heather looked to Miyagi. Her face was etched with worry.

"Come on Daniel," she encouraged.

"What am I to do?" Daniel asked.

"Special technique," Miyagi told him.

At this time it was time for Daniel to return. He groaned. Miyagi helped him up. Daniel gave him a pathetic look before returning to the mat. Miyagi watched as Mike and Snake made faces at Daniel. Surprisingly he made it back without incident.

The referee signaled the beginning of the second half of the match. Daniel prepared to do the special technique, but he didn't have the chance. Older Daniel was quicker and struck him in the face. Daniel staggered but did not fall. He stood up straighter, but took another hit to the face. The older Daniel kept coming striking Daniel in the face backing him up. After a few more hits the referee finally called out the older Daniel. Miyagi watched as Daniel wrapped his arms around his stomach. He appeared to choke a little before he spat out blood that splattered across the floor. Miyagi froze. Not good. Heather let a small gasp. But because he was Daniel he returned to the center.

Miyagi watched nervously as the boy prepared. Once again as before the older version nailed his younger self. Daniel crumpled, he collapsed to his knees. But this time was different. This time the boy stayed down.

A/N: Sorry if it sucked! Two more chapters to go before the end! R&R please!