Asuka stood across from Gohan in her fighting stance.
"The best way to show you is to give you some one on one training, so come at me!" Asuka declared.
"Alright, here I come Asuka!" Gohan ran towards her and threw a punch coming directly at her face. Asuka easily knocked his arm away and used her leg to trip him.
"Ahhh!" Gohan clumsily fell face first on the floor.
"Look alive Gohan. Most people love to attack that way, throwing themselves into the punch. Deflect and use their momentum to counterattack."
Gohan dusted himself off and raised his fists again. He charged at her once more, and threw compact punches, not allowing his body to get carried away. Asuka just slapped each punch away.
"You're learning bit by bit. Okay, let's see how you are on the defensive." Asuka parried one more punch and threw one of her own. Gohan put his hands up to defend himself. He was blocking each of her punches successfully.
"Dodge!" Asuka swiftly kneed Gohan in his stomach.
"Gaaa!" He knelt down clutching his stomach.
"Why didn't you dodge Gohan?"
"I didn't see your leg in time. It's a good thing you held back."
"Yeah but future opponents won't. Your defense is good but you need to learn how to move your body as well. You don't wanna stand there and be a punching bag. Alright get up."
Gohan ignored the pain and stood straight up. Asuka got in her fighting stance once more.
"I'm going to slow my punches down. Instead of blocking, I want you to dodge and parry. You'll find a lot more openings that way."
"Alright. Dodge and parry."
Asuka threw multiple punches at Gohan with reduced speed. It was enough for him to dodge and parry with relative ease.
"That's good Gohan. Always keep your hands open so you can use your palm to strike, or turn that palm into a fist." Asuka spun around into a roundhouse kick at his head. Gohan used his arms to block but that threw his body off balance. Asuka used the opportunity and punched at Gohan's stomach.
"Ghhh… Haha, not this time." Gohan gave a slight laugh as he was able to block Asuka's punch.
"Not bad. You've really been watching me closely."
"This was the same move you used against Setsuna. I have to study my master closely if I plan on getting stronger."
Asuka quickly blushed and crossed her arms.
"I thought it'd be cool being called master but man that sounds so embarrassing. Well whatever, it looks like you're getting the hang of this though. Ready for round two?"
Gohan put his hands up. "Ready!"
The sun started to set as the two finished their training. Asuka walked into her home and stretched her arms out.
"That was a good workout. I've worked up an appetite with all that training. C'mon slowpoke you're letting our dinner get cold. I didn't hurt you that bad did I?"
Gohan was treading slowly after Asuka. His body was banged up a bit as he took his time with each step.
"I can't remember the last time I've been knocked around that much. Don't mind me I'll catch up to you eventually…"
"Haha, you're such a jokester." Asuka slapped Gohan's back.
"AHHHH! That's not funny!"
"Oho, it sounds lively in here. Is that Asuka?"
A strong, burgly man came from the kitchen. He wore a white button up shirt with black pants. He wore his black hair in a man bun, and his stubble facial hair gave him an edgy appearance.
"Hey dad, just got back from training."
"I can smell you from the kitchen. If I can smell you from that far away, I'd wager you actually put in some work."
"Geez thanks a lot. You make it sound like I hardly train at all. I'm not like mom who just laze around when she should be training."
"Haha, fair point." Han took a quick look at Gohan and narrowed his eyes at him. He looked up and down, surveying him. "You must be Gohan, Chi Chi and Fuji's son."
"Yeah that's me. It's nice to meet you-"
"Hahahahaha!" Han burst out an uncontrollable laughter. "Man I didn't know you'd be this small. If I gave you a high five I'd snap your arm off hahaha!"
"Dad that's not funny don't make fun of him like that," Asuka said puffing her cheeks out.
Gohan gave an awkward laugh.
"Alright put her there Gohan." Han gave Gohan a soft handshake and wiped a tear from his eye.
"Thank you for having me for dinner. Asuka took the time to train me in the Kazama style-"
"She kicked your ass didn't she? Always picking on the scrubs this one." Han shook his head in disappointment.
"Knock it off! I'm helping him develop his fighting prowess. Besides he is completely fine."
Han took another look at Gohan and slapped him on the back.
"YEOUCH!" Gohan nearly jumped five feet in the air.
"Yeah, he can sure take a beating. Enough messing around it's time to eat!" Han gathered the last of the food and started setting the table.
"Your dad is so heartless," Gohan said rubbing his back and with tears in his eyes.
"Sorry about that. He likes messing with people a little too much. Now let's eat."
Juna came down minutes later and took her place at the table. Everyone was enjoying their meals and talking amongst themselves. Han rubbed his belly and slapped it.
"Man, that was some good food. Compliments to the chef."
"Oh why thank you sweetie I appreciate it," Juna said smiling.
"Do you always have to have your head so far up your ass?"
"Not always, but when I do I usually get what I want."
"Your attitude sucks ya know that?"
"You're gonna deal with it regardless. It's one of my many chams."
"Should I be concerned," Gohan whispered to Asuka.
"Nope, they like to fight so this is normal for them," Asuka whispered back.
Sparks were flying between Han and Juna. Eventually Asuka cleared her throat to get their attention.
"So if everyone is finished, I'll go ahead and do the dishes." Asuka cleared the table and went into the kitchen.
"Please don't mind us Gohan, this is our way of showing each other affection." Juna explained waving off her current spat with Han.
"Oh is it? Well I guess that's one way of showing you care, even if it's playful arguing."
"Ya see my boy," Han explained. "People show different sides to each other that they wouldn't want anyone to see but them. Now mind you it isn't a sign of weakness, it shows that you care and trust them enough to show how vulnerable you are."
"You were definitely vulnerable when you gave me those flowers sweetie haha," Juna stifled a giggle.
A vein bulged out of his forehead but he quickly smiled. "I'm trying to give the kid some advice darling. This isn't about me now-"
"Oh no this correlates especially to you. Gohan, let me tell you a story about how me and Han met."
"HOLD UP!" Asuka quickly slid into the living room with soap on her hands. She dried them on her apron and took a seat at the table. "Is mom telling the story about how they met Gohan?"
"No she is NOT!" Han yelled.
"Oh Han stop being a baby and let us tell it. Who knows, this might be something Gohan needs to find himself a good woman," she gave a wink at Gohan. He could only give a weak laugh in response.
"Damn, i'm not getting outta this one am I? Alright fine. This was our second year in high school…"
Han walked away from the school with the sunny sky beaming down on him. He had his black bag slung lazily over his broad shoulders.
"Another day, another teacher calling me a delinquent. If I had a dollar for every time someone called me that haha!"
"HEY ASSHOLE!" A rock was flung at the back of Han's head. It didn't faze him, but it did make him stop and turn around.
"You have to be pretty ballzy to pull a stunt like that," he said scratching the back of his black, messy hair. Across from him was a girl with a striking look on her face. She had long brunette hair with two long braids going down her back.
"And you were pretty ballzy hurting my friend like that. You knew he was just a beginner in martial arts yet you took advantage of that."
"Who… oh that guy. Hey, he kept boasting like he knew some moves and I just wanted to test the kid out. To my surprise he didn't know shit. I just roughed him up a bit that's all."
"Don't give me that crap. I know your kind. Just because you have muscles that can't hold through your uniform does not give you the right to push people around."
"Yeah you're right. This shirt really can't contain these muscles." He flexed his burly arms which bulged out of his white uniform shirt.
"So pathetic…"
"What was that?"
"Do you think muscles equals power? Let me tell you something. Guys like that don't know what true strength is, always trying to prove it by picking on someone weaker than them. And I'll tell you something else." A devious smile crept on her face. "I take pleasure in stomping those guys in to the pavement. You won't be any different."
Han couldn't hold in his laughter. He wiped a tear while trying to stand straight.
"Don't kid yourself short stuff. You'd break if I just swung once at you. Why don't you run along home before you-"
Before Han could react, Juna slapped him across the face, a giant hand print marked his teeth.
"Oh you bitch. You think just because you're a girl I won't-"
WHAP! Another hand ran across his face.
"Gender doesn't matter to me. You fight people weaker than you so what difference does it make that I'm a woman?"
"That's it!" Enraged, Han pulled his fist back and swung straight at Juna. She moved to the side and dug her fist straight into Han's spine.
Han winced but didn't keel over.
"If I had put more time into boxing you've would've been on the ground," Juna boasted.
"Shut the hell up!" Han kept swing and Juna was either dodging or parrying his strikes.
"This is utterly bogus and disappointing." Juna took a step back and examined Han's fatigued state. He was panting heavily with sweat dripping down his face.
"If he had more training under his belt he'd whoop you easily. You're not even worth finishing." She turned her back and began to walk away.
"What the hell? Who said we were done here?!" Juan ignored him and kept walking.
"You damn bitch look at me when I'm talking to you!" Han charged at Juna and put all his weight into his fist. Juna spun around completely evading his strike. She quickly knife struck his neck, not enough to seriously hurt him but enough to take the air out of his lungs.
"Gaaa…" Han keeled over, gasping for air. She then followed up with a series of strikes to his face and body. Han was defenseless against her onslaught.
"HAAAA!" She ended with a kick to the side of his head, knocking him to the ground. Han was looking up at the sky, with one eye almost shut. He couldn't muster the strength to get to his feet, and stayed motionless on the ground.
"Pathetic. Don't ever let me catch you bullying anyone ever again," she loomed over his body with an icy glare that could cut a mountain in half. She walked away and never looked back. Han sat up still in shock and confusion.
She beat me, he thought to himself. She utterly thrashed and humiliated me. Juna Kazama… Ridiculous!
Weeks went by without Han terrorizing or challenging anyone. Instead, his focus was entirely on Juna Kazama. No matter how hard he tried to forget about her, her face would constantly stand out to him. It was at this moment he took to following her around school discreetly. His amazing stealth abilities kept him shrouded in the darkness, totally unnoticed-
"Alright jackass what's the big deal? Why are you following and spying on me?" Juna finally asked. Juna, along with some of her friends, caught Han standing near the end of the y'all hiding. His big frame made it difficult for him to go unnoticed.
"I wasn't spying! I was just… looking around…"
"You've been "just looking around" for weeks at me. Do we have a problem, or are you still in your feelings about what happened?"
Han cringed at her words. His pride and ego has never been hit like that before, and he didn't know how to respond. He stood silent for awhile.
"Ha! It's as I thought you are butt hurt about losing to a girl. Look, I don't care how bad I hurt your precious ego you got what you deserve. You especially aren't deserving of a rematch if you're just gonna hide all day. Bye!" Juna walked past Han but he quickly reached out and grabbed her hand.
"Let go of me!" She demanded.
"Just hear me out! I am still bummed that you beat me but I didn't come here for a rematch."
"Then what do you want?"
"You mentioned something about true strength. What is that exactly?"
"True strength? Why are you suddenly asking me about that?"
Han relaxed his arm and ruffled his hair.
"I just started thinking about what you said. Strength to me is being better and stronger than your opponent. I fight to challenge myself and anyone who could make me better."
"I see where you're coming from but did you think you would've gained anything by beating my friend like that?"
Han winced and shook his head no.
"I thought so. Tell ya what, we'll continue this discussion after school. That sound good to you?"
"Why would I wanna hang out with you?"
Juna laughed and winked at him.
"Cause I'll start bullying you if you don't. See you outside the school gates. Not a second late." She went back to her friends as they laughed and giggled amongst themselves. Han put his hands on his head confused by what happened.
What is going on with me?! As big as I am I'm letting some girl boss me around? I've really hit rock bottom…
Just like Juna ordered, Han was waiting by the school gates. He impatiently tapped his foot.
"Wait by the school gates she said. School let out ten minutes ago. Where the hell is she?"
Coming out of the school were Juna and some of her friends. He ran to her and pointed a finger in her face.
"What gives? How come I gotta show up on time and you stroll out here late? That's messed up!"
"Oh pipe down I just needed to go over a few things with my teacher."
Juna's friends giggled at Han being talked down like that. He shot them a piercing glare and they immediately looked the other way.
"I'll see you guys later. Me and this big lug here have to talk about some things."
"Alright Juna we'll catch you tomorrow."
"If he gives you trouble, just send him to the hospital. You'd be doing us all a favor!"
The two left the school grounds. Han clenched his teeth in frustration.
"You just had to tell your friends you beat me huh?"
"I had to let them know what happened. I just did the school a favor if you ask me. So far you haven't been getting into any fights. I'll take that as a good sign."
"Whatever let's just go." Han stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked off school grounds. Juna was quickly beside him.
"There's a park near the school here. Let's talk there."
"Whatever."
The park was ten minutes away from the school. It was a giant field with ever growing trees, kids throwing a frisbee around, and other people walking or walking their dogs. They were both silent, each one enjoying the sunny weather and the cool breeze that came with it.
"You wanna know what true strength is," Juna finally spoke.
"Yeah, that's the whole reason I worked up the courage to talk to you- ack!" Han quickly stopped himself but the damage was already done. Juna's eyes got real big.
"Worked up the courage? That fight really did a number on you haha! You've been stalking me for weeks to work up the courage to ask that?"
Han's face grew hot with embarrassment. He couldn't think of anything witty to retort with, so he stayed silent. Juna looked at his face and felt a little shameful for taunting him.
"Sorry, maybe I went a little too far with the teasing. It's just a bit weird seeing you so somber and quiet. You're usually loud and quite arrogant."
"I don't think I was that arrogant…"
Juna stepped in front of him and flexed with her muscles. "Look at me I'm Han! Look at how my muscles bulge out of my shirt! Grrrrrr fear me!"
Han stood quiet looking at her awkwardly. He eventually gave in and doubled over in laughter.
"All right all right that was pretty good. You don't have the muscle strength to do it like me. You do it LIKE THIS! HUAAA!" Han flexed his bulging muscles at her. Snarling, he said, "scared of me now?! This is how you really get them scared! This is the absolute-" RIP! The sleeves of his shirt ripped slightly but noticeable and was loud to even have onlookers stare at him. Juna was on the ground laughing hysterically.
"I don't think I want muscles that big if my shirt constantly rips haha! You can't even stretch without it ripping can you?"
"You think you're so funny. Damn, after this I'll have to go home and sow this…"
"Oh Han you know how to sow?"
"Well yeah. Principal got tired of me ripping my school shirts so I took up sewing. You're gonna laugh at that too?"
"No, I think it's nice that you know stuff like that. It tells me you're more than just a brute."
"Thank I guess?"
"Now back to the topic. True strength is protecting people closest to you. It gives you a reason for fighting, a real to develop and grow mentally and physically. For example, I fight because I hate people who use their skills to pick on others weaker than them. Sound familiar?" Han looked away and nodded his head. Juna continued, "so I fight for other people who can't fight themselves. Now I'm not tryna be a superhero, but if I see people getting bullied I help but step in. That's how I want my child to be."
"You have a kid?"
"No, but when I get there I'll make sure he or she uses what I've taught, and can help people when they need it. Now, what is your definition of strength?"
Han was ready to say "to become the strongest," but felt his own reason was miniscule compared to Juna's. He couldn't give her an answer.
"Don't think too hard about it. It'll come to you. C'mon, let's keep walking."
Juna and Han's enjoyed each other's company throughout the park, talking and getting to know one another.
"Oh Han look at those flowers." Juna pointed to a bush filled with white and red roses.
"Bunch of flowers. What about em?"
"They're my favorite. I don't see these too often so I always like looking at them."
"Can't say I relate. Flowers aren't really my thing."
"But you sow."
"HEY! You better keep this between you and me got it?"
"Alright alright it'll be our little secret. Oh man I almost forgot! I have to go and buy groceries for dinner. I've enjoyed our talk together Han. Underneath those muscles you're a really good person, a little hard headed but tolerable."
"Thanks, I think. You're not so bad yourself."
"We'll need to do this again sometime. See ya!" Juna waved and ran ahead of him. Han put his hands on his hips and smiled. That Juna, she's something else, Han thought. He took a look at the red and white flowers Juna mentioned.
"I'm sure this park won't miss a couple flowers."
The next day Juna and her friends were talking amongst themselves outside the school.
"So what did you two talk about? Did you do anything?" One friend asked.
"She probably kicked his butt again haha." Another laughed out loud.
"I didn't have to this time. We talked for awhile and had a pleasant conversation. He's a good guy once you get to know him."
"Hard to believe that when all he does is- hey isn't that him hiding over there?" The girls turned to where they saw Han poking out near the gates. The girls laughed and Juna simply shook her head.
"Is he still spying on me? Jeez this guy, I'll be right back." Juna walked over to where Han was.
"Cmon Han it's too early to play hide and seek and I thought-"
"Here!" Han thrust the bouquet of flowers into her hands, the same ones she saw at the park yesterday.
"Han what is this? These are… these are the flowers we looked at aren't they?"
"Yeah you said you liked them so I got them for you."
"I didn't know you had such a sweet side to you. Thank you so much." A slight blush made its way to Juna's cheeks. Han's face also turned red and quickly looked away.
"They're just flowers, no need to get all mushy."
Juna grabbed Han's hand and took a look at them.
"Wait what are you doing," his face still flushed.
"As I expected from you. The flowers usually come with thorns. Guess you didn't know that. Your hands are bandaged but it seems you spent quite a while picking at the bush."
"It would've been nice to know beforehand. I'll admit the flowers did a number on my hands but nothing I couldn't handle. I won't be fighting for awhile but it was worth it."
"You smooth talker you." The first bell rang and students were piling into the school. Juna kissed Han on the cheek and grabbed his hand lightly.
"Let's get to class before we're late."
Han's face turned as bright as an apple.
"Gaaaa!" He pulled his hand away and ran away from the school.
"Where are you going?" she yelled after him.
"Not feeling too well! I'll be back tomorrow!" Han sped down the street. Juna smiled and went back to her friends.
"Was that Han running like that?"
"Did he really bring you flowers? What a guy."
Juna looked at the flowers. She smelled them and sighed.
"He really is a guy. That's what I like about him. Han…"
"And that is the story about how I wooed this woman here." Han crossed his arms in a triumphant victory. " She put up a decent fight, but in the end I was victorious. We started talking and before we knew it we were dating, and then we fell in love."
"That was such a fantastic story," Gohan said wiping his eyes.
"I've never expected Han to turn out this way but I'm glad he did. We both changed our lives for the better." Juna wrapped her arm around Han's.
"I always enjoy hearing mom kicking the crap out of dad," Asuka said looking off into space.
A vein appeared on Han's forehead. He coughed and cleared his throat. "That wasn't the point of that story mind you. You've already heard it enough. But you Gohan, the point that Juna was telling me is that you'll find newfound strength when you find something to protect. You won't understand it right away, but your time will come."
"Thank you Mr. Kazama. I'll take your words to heart." Gohan looked at the clock and stood from the table. "It's about time I headed home."
"It was good seeing you Gohan. I'm glad my daughter has found a good friend within you." Han stood and shook Gohan's hand.
"Honestly sir, it's the other way around. Asuka stood up for me when others wouldn't. I'm grateful to her, and hope to be as strong as her one day."
"I'm glad I raised my daughter to be the person I said she would be when I was in high school," said Juna as she winked at her daughter. Asuka smiled.
Ten minutes later Gohan returned home.
"I'm home mom, dad."
"AND JUST WHERE WERE YOU?!" Chi-Chi appeared right in Gohan's face. Gohan jumped back startled.
"Oh hey mom! I was over Asuka's house. Her parents own a dojo and she decided to train me."
"Humph, you could've at least called and told me you'd be late for dinner at least. Did you already eat?"
"Sorry mom, and yeah they made dinner and invited me to join."
"Well that was nice of them. You seem… better than you have been in recent weeks Gohan. Has this anything to do with Asuka?"
Gohan couldn't help suppressing a smile. "I don't know. Maybe, I feel like I could become better with her by my side. Ah! I don't mean that in a romantic way, just as a friend of course."
"I understand. As long as I get to see my boy smiling again."
"Well, I'll be heading to my room." Gohan went to his room and laid on his bed. True strength, Gohan thought to himself. Fighting for someone can bring out tremendous power. If I had to fight for anyone, it would probably be…
Asuka, when are you going to tell him about the Spirit World?
Soon, I'll bring it up soon.
Claire won't wait around forever.
I know, just gimme some time. I'll bring him there and be done with it. -Asuka and Juna Kazama
