Chapter 9

(Sophia's POV)

We paid for our purchases and left the store, Kozue had been tapping her foot on the floor impatiently as I tried on the bras. My eyes lingered on the pink one and I shook my head. Takeda had stepped outside the store sometime in the middle as I looked up, seeing him talking to a familiar face.

"Ah, Sophia, Kozue, this is-"

"Retsu!" Kozue and I had said it in perfect sync and we both turned to the other in shock "You know him?" we ask again and laugh.

Kozue goes first "I saw him during the maximum tournament with Baki,"

"I met him at a bookstore a few years ago, he stole the book I wanted to buy."

Retsu smirks, cocking his head to the left "Did I?"

"Yep," I chuckle "He was such a jerk about it too."

Kozue and Takeda chuckle and I snap Retsu another smile. The taller man reached over; ruffling my hair "I'm Sophia's self-defense teacher."

"I may or may not have gotten myself into a fight with five other guys that might have not ended well... for them. I mean damn, even I felt sorry for them in the end."

Retsu pulls back his hand, head tilted back like I'd insulted his pride "Well I'm sorry but five against one is never a fair fight and I'm not going to pity someone who stoops to that level."

"I'm not saying it wasn't awesome!" I counter with a laugh and hold my hands up "I'm just saying it was intense and violent."

Retsu sighs and shakes his head "I suppose you have a point."

I glance at his hands and look up "Oh, Retsu teacher?" his eyes find mine again "Are you busy this weekend? I have a few escape moves I'd like you to show me."

He eyes me questioningly but nods "You can come by anytime. I'm actually heading to the shin shin kai dojo now if you want to come?" his eyes flicker to me then Takeda "That is if your fine with escorting miss Kozue home."

Takeda nods "Of course, as long as Sophia stays with you."

..

..

I had dumped my bags on Takeda, much to Restu's disapproval and we quietly made our way to the shin shin Kai dojo. The large building was quite easy to see, it stood proudly over a lot of buildings and the large painting of Doppo Orochi karate-chopping a tiger was so arrogant it was painful.

We made our way down the street and up to the large building, filling the silence with small talk about school and his changes on his beliefs. I wasn't entirely sure what happened between Retsu and Baki, I had to step out for that fight but after, the event seemed to humble my once proud teacher. Don't get me wrong, he was still proud as hell but he was more open to other forms of fighting and the opportunities that came with them.

We went into the building, Retsu held the door open, always the gentleman and we made our way to the elevator at the end of the hall "Sophia." Retsu starts and I feel my stomach drop slightly "I didn't ask in front of Takeda but you seemed to be a bit shaken up. Did something happen? Is that why you asked me to teach you?"

I felt a shiver run down my spine and keep my eyes straight ahead. Retsu was fairly protective of me as well and I realized at that moment I was screwed either way. The last thing I wanted was him freaking out in the middle of the Shin Shin Kai dojo. Yet I knew his eyes were narrowing with every passing second obviously assuming the worst.

"If I tell you do you promise not to freak out?"

His narrowed gaze turns to me but I hold my ground. Soon enough he nods "I promise."

"Well... you know those escaped convicts everyone's been talking about?" I see Retsu tense just the slightest "Well I met Doyle today."

"You met Doyle?" though it was posed as a question I could still feel the anger lingering below it

"Yeah."

"Where did you meet Doyle and what happened?"

Suddenly this elevator seemed insanely small and I felt a small bead of sweat roll down my neck "Um, he was... shopping." I decided to leave out what he was shopping for "I noticed him and he followed me into my changing room." I felt Retsu tense again "or well, he scared me and I tried to break his nose so he forced me into the nearest changing room to talk."

"To just, talk?" Retsu's words were tense and sharp,

"Well, he did grope me, a little bit," I blush and stare at the climbing numbers "But yes, I knew I was outmatched when our hands touched and he even complimented me on my skills." I lifted up my sleeve to show him the red skin "He could have done worse but he said I intrigued him."

Retsu took my arm, his fingers gently inspecting the pink flesh and after pushing and prodding for a moment he calms down slightly. Seeing as I wasn't injured meant my words were true. He lowers my arm to my side and slides his hand to grasp mine "If he comes after you again I want you to tell me. If he does anything I want you to tell me. If you see him I want you to tell me."

I couldn't help but laugh "And what are you going to do?"

He turns, looking at me with darkness in his eyes "I'll make him stop."

When I go to reply the bell dings loudly, opening the two metal doors and I stop as a few guys walk down the hallway. They were all wearing karate uniforms, their black belts tied tightly around their waists. Retsu's hand doesn't leave mine as we make our way down the hall and into a large room with a bamboo floor. From the way the floor sunk under my feet, I could tell there were two thin layers of foam under the bamboo.

I reach down, taking off my shoes as a loud male voice rings through the room "Retsu!" while most of the guys were filtering over to the far wall I look up to see one in the middle. He was tall, with bold features and striking black hair. His thick eyebrows gave him a serious appearance but his soft eyes were calm and inviting. Even from here, I could see the muscles lining his robes and I forced myself to look at his eyes and not the slightly exposed skin on his chest "You brought a guest."

"Yes, this is my student, Sophia Jones."

I rub the back of my neck "Sorry to intrude, I ran into Retsu at the mall and he said I could come."

He smiles, giving a once over "None sense! Any friend of Retsu's is welcome. You can come anytime you like. I'm Katsumi Orochi, the current head of Shin Shin Kai Karate."

"I was going to spare with Katsumi and show some new moves to the class, after that we can practice. I'm sure Katsumi could help you out with a few things as well."

Katsumi's face lights up, a childlike gleam in his eyes "Of course, I can show you whatever you'd like!" He turns to face the class "Everyone, say hi to Sophia. She's Retsu's student and she'll be watching today as well." A rounding chorus of "Hi Sophia" echoed the room and he motioned me over to one side of the wall "You're welcome to sit where ever."

I nod, walking over and cock my head back "Katsumi unless you want to lose those eyes, I'd suggest you take them off my ass." I didn't have to look back to know he was smirking.

I reach the wall and stop, reach under my skirt and grab the thick Velcro strap. While I had never been bothered by it before I couldn't help but blush as the loud ripping sound echoed through the room and when I pulled the two pieces apart and removed my weapons from my leg the whole room was staring at me. Retsu was just looking as he already knew about my 'little friends' but that didn't stop the blush from darkening as I kneel down. Had we not been kneeling I would have had no reason to remove them but sitting like that the buckle dug into my skin painfully.

And to save myself further embarrassment I decided to address the crowd "Yes, I have hidden weapons alright? And yes, I know how to use them before any of you start with that."

Katsumi had a mixture of amusement and shock in his eyes. I mean I understood it. From first glance, I didn't look that terrifying. I was still in my high school uniform in the middle of the night, I wasn't rippling with muscles and I had a soft heart-shaped face with 'doe eyes' as Retsu liked to say. So watching me remove hidden weapons was the last thing anyone was expecting.

When the looks continue I clear my throat "The floor is yours boys, whenever you want it."

The two of them look at me and then each other like they'd forgotten the reason they were here.

"Right." Katsumi clears his throat and nods at a man closest to the wall "You all know we're starting this lesson with a sparring match. This will be a match between Chinese Kenpo and Shin Shin Kai Karate. The match will be three minutes all bards battle. I ask that everyone stay against the wall for safety but I encourage you to watch closely. Questions may be asked after the match."

While the room was filled with men from various ages and races all eyes were on Katsumi, for such a young man he held such authority and respect. The air had fallen into a serious note as Retsu bends over, changing his shoes. It was funny to watch as the new pair was identical to the old but he places them by the door gently and moves his hands down, quickly undoing his jacket. I can't help but smirk when he pulls it off, the rippling muscles along his back were like a free strip show and folds it over his shoes. He turns, walking over to Katsumi in the middle of the mat.

..

..

I move, striking Katsumi's open hand. The men had all but swarmed Retsu, leaving Katsumi and I in peace as they berated him with questions. After a few minutes, Retsu had gotten the hang of it and I moved to the corner of the room, walking Katsumi through the motions with minimum details. After a few times of being spun out his hands or twisted towards the floor in various options a loud ringing echoed through the room and I turn, looking at my shoes. Since I was on the other side of the room I simply look at the closest guy there.

"Hey, can you put it on speakerphone. It's probably Takeda."

The closest guy rustles through my jacket, removing a tube of lip chap and lip gloss along with my phone. He sets both back in my pocket "No, its a private number."

"Answer it. It's probably the Detective." I roll my eyes, not wanting to deal with him again.

Before I could answer a male's voice rips through the room "SOPHIA! GET OUT OF THE DOJO NOW!"

Before I could ask why the door slides open, revealing an impossibly large man. He had long white hair and a thick white beard. Despite his looks, he put on a sweet smile, that smile did little to help my heart as my blood ran cold. Do you remember when I said I never forget a face?

Standing in the doorway was none other than Dorian, one of the escaped convicts "Excuse me?" he asks nicely, stepping in the room with large brown hunting boots "I'm looking for Doppo Orochi."

Before I could stop him Katsumi was clearing the room "TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES IN THE DOJO!"

There was nothing I could do, Katsumi attacks the large man. Like I feared Doran was beyond skilled, easily disarming Katsumi like a small child causes Retsu to come to his aid. When Dorian hits the floor I see the other guys relax slightly but the pounding of my heart told me it wasn't over. I wasn't sure what it was but I seemed to have this six sense, always calling fights before they happened or tragic events. My eyes move to his hands and I watch his fingers curl around a broken board. I tossed the stick across the room, half sure I'd hit one of the many heads in the way but by the grace of God it hits the board flying at Katsumi's neck. The two crash into each other and the board goes flying past a few heads and hits the wall. The stick had bounced back hitting Katsumi in the face. He steps back in shock holding his bleeding nose but my eyes were on Dorian. For a man of his size, the giant moved impossibly fast.

One moment he was on the other side of the room and the next he was in front of me. I gasp, watching him smile, that sick joy in his eyes like he'd found a new toy.

"Impressive."

I gasp my body bending forwards as his hard fist smashes into my stomach. I felt a flash of white-hot pain as my stomach curls in. I felt my face falling towards the floor but I don't hit it as his large hand curls itself around my neck. His thick fingers were too large so the top and bottom two were over my mouth and collar bone. I could taste the tangy blood and feel it running out my mouth. It smears over his finger as he turns tossing me across the room. I felt my stomach pull from the force and more pain as I hit a hard wall. When two arms wrap around me I realize the wall isn't a wall but a body. The force pushes both of us back and I'm curled into a naked chest. Retsu. I knew that smell anywhere.

Dorian laughs "But not impressive enough little girl."

"You bastard!" Katsumi shouts.

The room blurred, the pain in my stomach was getting worse by the second and my chest felt impossibly heavy. I could feel my chest shaking, small pants as my body recoils from the shock but the air did little to stop the black spots dancing before my eyes. I hear more commotion, Retsu gasp and the sound of air moving quickly. Katsumi's scream of pain hits my eyes as the room goes dark.