A.N.- To all the game players I added some more dialogue between Nick and another one of the characters . Those names that they will be talking about will be in my sequel that I still hope to write if I can.

3

DOJO ATTACKER

I stepped out of the interrogation room. As soon as I did I could see the Chief waiting for me next to the door.

"Hey Chief," I spoke solumly. "How's Rosie?"

"Lucky," the Chief replied, motioning for me to follow her into the room next to the questioning room I had exited. "The bullet went right through."

The Chief turned to me as soon as we got into the room.

"She's as mad as hell though."

"What can I say," I said stubbornly. "I told you I work alone. I have a reason for it. Rosie's just one of the lucky ones."

"Jeez, point made," the Chief caved in, rolling her eyes. "I'll have Rosie work Intel for you, from now on."

"A desk job, huh?" I said.

Rosie may not like it (something told me I would never hear the end of it), but I would need Intel during this case. And I needed my space anyway.

"Speaking of Intel," the Chief said crossing her arms. "I hoped you learn something, 'cause the bistro owner ain't talking."

I looked at the tinted glass to the shooter who was cuffed an on the table. Attempting to wrestle out of the cuffs only to fall face flat on to the floor.

"Well, the punk seems pretty clueless," I informed her. "FOB, Fresh off the Boat, but from the sounds of it he was doing some hands-on-training with a guy named Feng." I pointed my thumb over my shoulder.

"The guy I saw take off in the Beamer."

"Good," the Chief nodded. "I got an APB out on that car."

"Well, I ain't holding my breath," I replied.

If Feng was smart he'd be out of the city by now. But then again, some criminals are just plain dumb-asses, I speak from experience.

"Let me know if anything develops," I said walking to the door. "Paperwork's calling my name."

I sat there the next morning cruising the city in my Cadillac. Thinking about nothing and everything at the same time. Nothing had had come up on Feng. Not yet anyway. I was some where near Chinatown when I saw it.

A dojo that was made of tan brick and wood painted an olive dark green and a light green. Above the door, carved of wood, was a yin-yang and the words 24/7 DOJOS AND GYMS.

Well, this spot looks interesting, I thought to myself.

I pulled up my Cadillac and parked it on the shoulder of the street and somewhat on the sidewalk. Getting out, I locked the car and went to the door of the dojo.

This must be where all the "cool" kids hang out.

As soon as I opened to door it was like I was transported to China again (yes, I went to China a very long long time ago it seems).

The walls where painted the same light creamy green as outside. On the walls hung ancient Chinese suits of armor, Martial Arts Tournament awards also hung on the walls along with several sheathed katana's. The wood floor was waxed and on it had a special padded mat.

The shumin, the front wall of honor looked almost like an altar. Candles and incense, burned on a wooden shelf that was created to look like one of the old Chinese altars with several Buddha figurines. Above this altar was a picture of the Great Wall along with the name Kang in Chinese calligraphy characters, and a few ink paintings.

Wooden and reed separators separated the main area of the dojo to the small wing it had on the right. Fans spun above the room.

Even the air in this dojo seemed to command the utmost respect and give a certian mystery to the place.

"Hello?" I said looking around.

It looked as if no one was here. At the moment.

"Anyone order Chinese?" I asked into the silence.

Nothing, at first.

Suddenly there was the crash of wooden separations. Then there was a loud cry.

"HI-YAH!"

I back-flipped out of the way to narrowly missing a flying flash of crisp white streak past me. I jumped quickly into a fighting stance as my attacker landed onto the floor.

Now I could see my attacker, or the back of him anyway.

The man who attacked me was a head shorter than me, wearing a crisp white gi, and a black belt tied around his waist. He stood up. He had to be several inches (maybe more) shorter than myself. His hair was as black as my own, but a little longer so it almost touched the collar of his gi.

"The superior man acts before he speaks," spoke my attacker. He turned around.

His face marked him as half Chinese. With the dark eyes, tan skin,and the black hair. He still looked pretty young for his age.

"Or is it the other way around?"My attacker asked suddenly.

He went into a stance like one off of The Matrix. I went into a fighting stance of my own.

"It won't matter went I'm done with you, Confucius," I said getting in front of my attacker with a fighting stance. A smile came to my face as I enjoyed the thought of fighting him.

"Let's rumble."

He attacked first.

Running at me with both a crescent and reverse crescent kick.

I blocked both of his hits and lashed out with a 'monkey kick'. That knocked him back in to a few of those separations.

My attacker leapt up and ran at me once again. This time he gave me a fake out punch, that landed in my side. Seeing this as his opening he round house kicked me in the other side.

I won't lie and say it didn't hurt. As I stumble back. Damn! Suddenly my attacker swung around for another blow. Not this time. I blocked with one hand and punched him hard in the chest.

My attacker stumbled.

"FINISH HIM!" I yelled like those announcers from the game, Mortal Kombat as I 'dragon drop-kicked' him to the padded floor all the air coming out of his lungs with a great whoosh.

I got up and smiled at him on the floor.

I know it so very Scorpion King or Gladiator but I couldn't help it. I put my foot on his chest.

"Do you yield?" I asked, rasing an eyebrow.

"I yield," He said trying to get air.

I got my foot off of his chest and waited 'til he had a decent amount of air in his lungs. Smiling at him all the while.

I offered him my hand. He took it gladly

"Not bad, Big Brother," He commented as I pulled him up. "I was beginning to think you lost it."

He pushed me playfully in the shoulder.

Oh, did I forget to mention he was my little brother, Cary? Oops! Mybad. I guess I got caught up in the story. Last time I do that, I promise.

"It's been awhile Cary," I remarked. "And I can see you've been busy, opening all those new gyms around town."

I glanced around taking in the awards I missed before. Cary's dojo looked a lot like our old dojo, back in the day.

"I'm going franchise here and Danny Wong's going franchise in Hong Kong! Can you believe it?" He said with a grin.

I turned to my little brother.

"Danny and you've had it comin' for a while, Bro," I grinned.

Cary smiled back as he brushed him self off.

Suddenly my cell phone rang.

I answered it with a, "Kang's Chinese Laundry. Less starch, First stiff."

"Nick stop screwing around," said the Chief, her voice urgent . "The Beamer been spotted at the Red Lantern."

Click.

"Shoot!" I said. I turned to Cary, "Gotta jet bro. I'll catch ya later!"

I ran to the door.

"No worries," Cary called to me. I stopped at the door.

"You've got free admission, 24/7!"

I stopped at the door, turned to himand bowed out calling, "Just stay out of trouble, Okay!"

Cary nodded.

"You know me!" he yelled.

I smiled at that and ran to my Cadillac