Back to normal or is it?

I was back at home. It was good just too finally get some form of decent sleep. During the next few days, Josh and I just talked. We woke up in the morning. Went to the gym and I showed him a thing or two that I had learnt from Scorpia.

It was now time for school to start. Josh dropped me off. I tugged the skirt of my gym down a little lower. I went to girl's only school. The first person to great me was sensei asking me when I could start. Not to brag or anything but I was his start pupil.

I looked at my schedule and groaned. We had English, Maths and Afrikaans before break. After first break, it was L.O and Bio break again; finally, we ended the day off with history. It was going to be a long day. I couldn't wait for grade ten so that we could have subject choices.

The day dragged on slowly. I had an Equestrian meeting during break. As we were preparing for inter- Schools. It was decided that Jen Stables would be my sponsor again this year. Since I was the only one who didn't have my own horse I'd be riding one of theirs.

During LO we got changed and played hockey or did some kick boxing for a physical check up. No one is usually willing to fight me so I played hockey. I'm not ashamed to admit I'm awful at it. At least I was in the gaol box so it meant that nobody got hurt by me.

My whole body was sore by the time we had Bio. I couldn't wait to go home and have a shower. At bio we talked about altitude sickness. Copied tons of notes out that I'd missed. My handwriting isn't neat but at least I could read it.

During second break I and sensei had a chat about my training. He wanted me to do a weapon exhibition with some of the other black belts. It was for a school fundraiser. I said I would help. I couldn't wait to get back to training in the dojo.

Finally the school day ended. I haven't even started on my homework. Josh came to pick me up and drive me to Jen Stables. They had kindly offered to be my schools practicing ground. I changed at the back of the car into jodhpurs, my riding boot and a baggy t-shirt. I quickly drank some juice before we got there. It stopped my stomach from grumbling.

I took my riding helmet and clipped it on. Josh dropped me off at practice. I was doing show jumping this year as my main event. Tristan the Jen's eldest son showed me to the horse I was using. He was a one of my friends and no more than that. I had enough boy trouble to last me a lifetime.

He had exercised Excalibur the horse I'd be riding for me. Excalibur's records for jumping were amazing. I got to know the horse as we started easy. He liked to jump over the poles and hated the jumping over the water ponds. It took more than a few comforting words to get him to jump those. Tristan timed me along as I went. Giving me tips along the way. I hadn't jumped in such a long time.

It was good to feel normal again. The captain this year, Makala called us in together. They were leaving there horses here. As we brushed the coats she talked about the teams we would be facing at inter schools. Our brother school's team this year looked strong and she was determined to beat them.

Josh drove the whole team back to school while I changed right at the back into my gi. The lightweight strong material felt great on my skin. I smelt the familiar smell of the dojo as I walked in. I bowed as I walked through the door as a sign of respect and because if I didn't I would have to do a hundred push ups.

I tied the second dan black belt on to my waist. To keep my gi together and to show my level of training. I was immediately signalled to help some purple belts with a unison kata they were doing. It was one of those that got you points at tournaments. Very difficult and purely for show purposes.

While sensei was dismissing the baby class. I got out the weapons. I decided to use a bo. The long wooden pole felt good in my hands. I went outside into the grass quad to practice. I bowed with my heels together and toes out. I then named my kata yelling it as if there was no tomorrow. My moves were lightning fast. I did a few quick moves and then relaxed my body. Exactly like I had been taught.

The kiai that left my mouth was load releasing all my frustrations. At the end of the kata I was drenched with sweat. My hair stuck to my face. I heaved it had taken all my energy to perform that kata with the grace and honour it deserved.

That night as I lay on my bed I wondered. And I couldn't help it. Josh had been called after karate practice to do something for the MI6. The house was still and quiet. Would Scorpia hunt me down? Would only my blood satisfy them? If so how would Josh deal with the pain again?

Those three questions turned repeatedly in my mind. Scaring me even more the next time I repeated them. Protecting my family was my number one priority. I would do anything for them. In addition, everyone knew it.

A/N: Thanks for reading and a huge thank you with ice cream to all those who read my story Nile. That's is a normal school day for me. I don't know about the rest of SA. LO stands for Life Orientation and I hope the martial arts are right. I haven't done karate in like two years so I'm a bit rusty with the terms.