First posted: 17 March 1996
I regain my balance, block a second kick and counter with a double punch to head an' chest.
Both are easily blocked, but he gives back a step. Small wonder...
I try a kick o' me own. He kills it easily, knockin' me sidewise. I keep spinnin', pivotin' around in a roundhouse kick. He steps back, avoidin' the kick. No surprise, but it gives me room. I backpeddle.
He gives me a couple momments. I suck at throbbin' lip. Careless, careless, old dog. Walked right into that one...
Oh, shit...
He's just a blur. Just feet an' hands lashin' out o' nothingness.
I only manage to block every second blow. I throw meself sidewise, takin' a solid fist to th' side o' me head, graying me vision.
Don't black out...
Don't black...
A fist screams towards me. Half blind i hurl me right hand into its path. His fist smacks into me palm, me fingers closin' around it. He grunts in surprise.
Ha...few tricks left in me.
Me hand closes vice-like around th' hand as i yank him towards me. I move me right leg behind his, then suddenly slam me left forearm across his chest.
Like hittin' a fuckin' brick wall. Damn! That hurt!
He grunts an' does somethin' with his own feet... Uh. Expected that. I let go of his right hand an' hit him again, drivin' him backwards. He goes down, but not in an uncontrolled heap, worse luck. Turns it into a graceful backwards roll, his arms slappin' ground to break his fall. Then he's back up and comin' at me again.
How do i get meself into these things?
A foot swings towards me knee, tryin' to take it out. Slow though. Ah. First mistake he's made. Gonna make it his last. I block down savagely with me left arm and prepare to follow up with a punch to his solar plexus. That should teach him...
A white pain explodes in me gut.
Distraction! Th' kick was just a distraction.
Damn.
Me feet go out from under me an' i hit th' ground hard.
Ow...
"Are you all right, Johnathan?" Sensei asks, as he bends over me.
"Ah...ah...ah..." i manage, gasping for breath.
"Here, let me help you," he says, helping me up.
We face each other and bow. Sensei's bow is noticeably more crisp than my own. "You fought well today."
"Ah... Thank you, Sensei," i manage. Don't fall over, now, i remind meself.
"Hai, yes, i think you should try for your brown belt."
"Not...now...please, Sensei," i say as walk slowly to the side of the dojo, starting to get me breath back. Ohh, that hurt.
"Oh, no, surely not now. At the next grading, of course," Sensei says, deadpan. "Here, take some water." He hands me a bamboo ladel, filled from a small pool at the end of the dojo. A soft, afternoon light filters through the overhead windows.
"Thank you, Sensei." Yes, good, water is good...
"Tell me, if you would, have you had military or police training?"
"Uhm, yes, Sensei. Spent some time in th' service," i say, cautiously. Honest enough answer. Still...
"I do not mean to pry, Johnathon, but suspected as much. The hand block you used is not anything i have taught you. I've told you not to open your hands when fighting. You will break fingers."
"Yes, Sensei," i say, eyes downcast. "I'm sorry, Sensei. It is...hard...to break old habits."
"Huh," grunts Sensei Ito. "Hai, that is so. But while i instruct you in karate it is my job to keep you from bad habits. There is a time when you will learn to fight open hand, but not now. Patience, Johnathan. All things in there proper time."
"Yes, Sensei," i reply dutifully. "All things in their time."