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“Because my mother died!” The sheer pain screamed.
Johnny knew the feeling all too well. He could see the heart-breaking in Tory’s face. Daniel Larusso stopped the fight, Tory pleaded with her Sensei: she needs to fight. It’s what her mother would’ve wanted. Johnny understands what Tory is feeling right now. The Sensei sees the hurt and betrayal in his student’s face.
Larusso’s asking for Johnny to back him up. In all honesty it’s not up to them. Tory wants to fight— Johnny will allow it.
Tory pleaded again, yelling louder. Sensei Larusso disagreed, provoking Tory and eventually leading her to storm off in a heated storm. Johnny feels Daniel trying to pull him away from their students into the shack of the dojo. He can’t shake the feeling and decides to go after his student.
“Where are you going?!” He heard Daniel yell.
Johnny turned his head, looking at Larusso. “Somebody’s gotta make sure Nichols is okay.”
He ignored as Larusso kept calling. Johnny ran, hoping he would catch the grieving child before she did something she’d regret. The Sensei knew more than anybody what Tory is going through. He lost his mother too.
“Nichols!” Johnny shouted.
The blonde turned her head, shocked somebody chased after her, sighing in displeasure. “What do you want?”
“Hey, just want to talk, kid. I know what you are feeling.”
The teen scoffed bitterly. “Yeah, right. Like you ever lost anything—“
“I lost my mother too, Nichols.” Tory looked at her Sensei in shock. Johnny slowly approached the fragile woman, trying to not spook her.
“What?” Tory whispered. She couldn’t believe Sensei Lawrence. Johnny nodded, “Tory…come here, you want to fight, fight. Sensei Larusso was in the wrong. I’ll back you up.”
Tory looked apprehensive. “I-I just wanted to fight for her. S-she would’ve wanted this.” The teen’s eyes filled with tears again.
“I know. When my mom died all I wanted was to hit the mat. You need this.”
Tory’s resolve collapsed. “I want to fight. Let me fight.”
Johnny nodded. “Tory, hit me.”Tory’s eyes sparkled as tears rolled down her cheeks as she raised her fist and punched Sensei Lawrence in the chest. “Harder, let it out!” He shouted. Tory fueled up, fists shaking in fury and strikes again, hard.
“I want to win!”
“Come on, Nichols, is that all you got?” Johnny taunted, knowing Tory needed an outlet.
If he had to be the punching bag Johnny didn’t care. Tory’s eyes bloodshot stared at the bruise on her sensei’s face where she punched him. “I’m sorry.” She said as her voice cracked.
“Don’t. I said you could fight.”
Tory shook her head, hands falling at her sides in defeat. “I could’ve really hurt Sam… Mr. Larusso was right.”
Johnny shook his head. “No, Larusso doesn’t understand us. We need the fight as an outlet.”
Tory threw her leg back and slammed her foot into Johnny’s side, evoking a groan. “I want my mom!” Tory cried.
Johnny felt the teenage student fall into his arms. “Shh, it’s okay.”
The Sensei held the sobbing teen, grieving in his arms. “I know. I’m so sorry you had to join the dead mother's club, Tory.”
“It’s not fair! She was getting better! She made my brother and I breakfast.” Tory argued, tears streaming down her pale cheeks.
The older man just held her tighter. “I know.”
“I want mom!” Tory’s broken pleas shattered Johnny’s heart.
They stayed like that until Tory pulled away, wiping harshly at her red eyes. “I-I thank you.”
“Do you want to come back with me?”
Tory nodded.
Robby’s eyes widened in shock when his dad ran after Tory. He knew he should’ve reacted, said something or anything. There was no excuse. Robby was in shock—- Mr. Larusso gritted his teeth as Johnny ignored his calls. It was sometime before his dad came back. What shocked him was the fact Tory was back.
“Babe.” Robby said. Tory didn’t smile. “I’m sorry. I should’ve come to get you.”
Johnny looked toward Daniel who was still pissed. Sam approached Johnny and Tory. “Tory…”
Tory turned toward Sensei Larusso. “I’m sorry…you were right to stop. I wasn’t in the right state of mind.”
Daniel couldn’t believe Johnny was able to bring Miss Nichols back. “Tory, I’m sorry for yelling. I was just concerned things were getting out of hand.” Daniel caught a glance at Johnny’s bruised cheek. “What happened, Johnny?”
Tory laughed humorlessly. “He let me hit him.”
“Johnny…” Daniel breathed.
Johnny rolled his eyes. “She needed to fight. I let her fight me.”
Sam cleared her throat. “Hey, Tory. Do you want to settle the team captain another way when you are thinking more clearly.”
“I’m tired.” Tory admitted, eyes getting misty.”I’m sorry for almost hurting you. I was just so angry and I took my loss on you. I-I don’t want to hurt you.”
Sam pulled Tory in for a hug. “It’s okay. How about we ditch practice and watch epic fail videos on YouTube or TikTok.”
A brief half-smile crossed Tory’s lips. “I’d like that.”
Johnny felt relieved. He knew it only distracted the grieving teen for a little while before she remembered her mother wasn’t alive. Daniel dismissed class today early and followed his co-Sensei.
“Johnny, can I talk to you?”
Johnny sighed. “I’m not really in the mood, Larusso.”
“I was wrong. You were right she needed to fight. I didn’t want anybody to get hurt.”
Johnny dropped down in a chair, wanting a beer. “WOW, Larusso is admitting he’s wrong, that's a first.”
Daniel rolled his eyes. “Shut it.”
“Hey, Miss Nichols just wanted to do what her mom wanted. I know what she is feeling because when my mother died all I wanted was to go three rounds on the mat. I let her kick my ass because she needed the win, okay.”
Daniel understood what Johnny was doing. “You’re going need to ice that.”
“No shit, Larusso.” Johnny snorted.