A flash of red pain, and the young woman hit the ground hard. A moment later, she was again on herfeet, throwing a snarl at the older man who'd gotten the hit. Dancing lightly from one foot to the other, hands and arms loose yet on guard, she spotted his next attack in the coming. She ducked the jab at her head, lifting one arm to block and raise her opponent's attacking arm, while using two fingers of her free hand in an attempt to jam them into the now-unprotected underarm. He saw this coming, though, and easily blocked with his free hand. Ironically, the girl had expected this, and so used his minor lack of balance against him. Without a moment's hesitation, she grabbed his previously blocked, raised arm, simultaneously latching hold of the hand that he'd used to block her two fingers. Her eyes flashed dangerously as she swung a leg around his and swept him from his feet, forcing her weight to follow. As they landed, her knee hit the ground just below his groin, her elbow painfully dropping decidedly beside his neck, and her two now-free fingers stopped falling just a fraction of an inch above his wide, rather surprised eyes. A snap of her fingers, and she was on her feet once more, offering the fallen man a hand.

With a grin, Sakui Tsinacci accepted the prooffered hand and allowed her to boost him to a stand. His opponent and student, Kari Ritker, allowed herself only a momentary glance of triumphant pride before grabbing two small towels thrown carelessly over a bar to her right and handing one to Sakui himself. The respected instructor accepted the towel, and after a moment, cleared his throat. Both kneeled simultaneously upon the blue-gray padded spar floor, facing each other.

Kari, you did well. You have learned quickly all that I have to teach you. Now it is up to you to learn what you need to find what you seek. Only you can choose your next path.

A calm, thoughtful silence fell as Kari chose her next words carefully. Sakui thrived and believed in always having a plan of action. How to tell him now that she only wished to rest, to settle, and learn the basics of a 'normal' life before continuing in her search. It was a plan, but one she doubted Sakui would approve of. It was certain that he would not try to stop her, but he had earned her respect in such a way that she strove to please him. How to tell him now that she wished to remain in Richmond, close enough to San Fransisco, yet far enough so that she felt safe at night. There was no immediate need to move to the large city, and she'd yet to find and lead the normal life that she now sought.

Understood, Teacher. My quest for peace has only begun, and I wish now to settle into a way of life before seeking more.

Sakui nodded, having already known the answer she would give. Though it went largely against his own personal way of life to rest when one was on a quest, he knew that in resting, Kari would find a small portion of the peace she sought. The recovery from the life she had left behind had been amazingly quick, even for the time she'd spent with the Performers. It was known by both of them, though, that she had a long way to go, much more growing to do, before everything she'd escaped could be put completely behind her.

He remembered the nervous, cornered wildcat who'd come knocking on his door, seeking instruction in the ways of self-discipline, respect, and the Martial Arts. She'd told him everything then, of the mother who's very existance depended upon alcohol, the father who constantly reminded her of the mistake she was and always would be. The biggest disappointment hadn't been either of those, however. Her heartbreak was being abandoned by her twin brother, who'd left when they were fifteen years old, promising to return within the year to take her away from the horrors they'd survived for this long. She'd waited for two years for him before deciding that she had to take her life into her own hands. Desperation found her a place amongst a group of friendly, travelling circus performers. It was with them that her skills as an acrobat developed and blossomed, but she'd known from the start that she wouldn't be remaining with them long. As soon as she'd raised the money, she began her training under Sakui during the off-season months. When it came time for the performers, who Kari then knew as her family, to leave and begin another half-year of work, she remained behind and flourished under two rigorous years of training. Now, she would settle until they again returned to Richmond, and once more, she would join them. Until then, she would find stability and a bit of the peace of mind she so desired.

Not an hour later, Kari stepped into her upper-level apartment, reaching immediately for the remote control with one hand, her other still grasping an end of the towel that was thrown over her slender shoulders. Ignoring the droning voice of the six-o'clock news announcer as he popped on the TV screen with a click, she set about making dinner for herself, the usual pasta salad. With a book in her hand, she collapsed on the couch, exhausted still from the final spar with her former teacher and the run from his studio to her home. Focused now on a tale spinning from the words she read that took form in her mind, she paind little head when the 'headline news' music played and the male newscaster appeared. His voice was calm, though she could easily hear the urgent, alarmed tinge beneath his tone, and it was those that made her glance up, raising an inquisitive brow.

...Of the downtown San Fransisco area may be sleeping with their lights on tonight as the murderers of two young men have yet to be found. The names of the victims have not been released, as the families have yet to be informed. No suspects have yet been located, the only remaining clues are the two handgun shells found near the first victim's body. It appears that the second victim was beaten to death, while his companion was, of course, shot. Stick wtih channel 16 news, we will keep you up to date.

Kari stared openmouthed as the newcastor disappeared, replaced by a happy set of cats meowing for a can of moist catfood. Shaking her head slowly, her eyes returned to the book, forbidding herself to think on it any longer, though she had some difficulty.

Kris had gone to San Fransisco. He'd heard there was work for him in that large city, even at his young age. How could he have forgotten? What if he hadn't? what if he'd died somewhere, like those poor guys on the news? Or what if he'd got himself a real job, a real home, a real life, and wanted nothing more to do with her and the life he'd left behind all those years ago?

Kari...I'll come back, I promise. Together, we'll rule the world!

They'd had such high hopes. She wondered if he'd nknown all along that they were only the dreams of two very hurt children, wanting nothing more than to feel like themselves, like humans.