Kindred Spirits Ch.4
By Troy

The Masters household

Ken Masters, one of the most powerful men in the world, stands ready in fighting position. His eyes are that of a tiger, his senses as sharp as a wolf. "Are you ready Sean?

"Yes Sensei!" replied the eager young student.

"Then come at me!" order Ken

In a flash, Sean charged at his master with every once of his strength and spirit. His mind concentrating on his opponent and eyes focused. He lunges at Ken with a powerful high jump kick. Ken could feel Sean's aura and chi. It felt full of anger, rage, intensity, and electricity! Ken was surprised at how much he has improved over the years since this young man approached him to become his disciple. He may have improved, but not enough to get the best of Ken. A normal martial artist would clear out of the way of such an attack, but Ken Masters is no ordinary martial artist. Instinctively, Ken parries Sean's attack, catching him off balance, and then follows it up with a high roundhouse across the chest, clothslining Sean.

Ken looks down at his winded pupil with disappointment. "Well, the wheel is turning alright, but the hamster seems to be dead." Ken criticized.

"Forgive me sir! (pant) I thought...."

"That's just it! You thought, but you didn't know! You need to put more strategy into your attack. Your offense is excellent, but your defense is weak." Ken explained. Ken is no ordinary martial artist or trainer. "My sensei once told me that the best offense is a good defense........or was that Mike Ditka? Anyway, you're still a little wet behind the ears and I don't know if you'll be ready for the tournament tommorrow."

"Aw c'mon sensei, I'm just having a bad day. I'll do better in the tournament." said Sean. The tag team tournament was THE tournament that Sean had been waiting for. It was a chance to prove to his master that he is a capable martial artist.

"This isn't a game Sean. We need to work as a team, an EQUAL team. You're not quite at the level I want you to be to become my partner." Ken said

"Anyone feelin' thirsty?" Eliza came walking into the training room with a tray of refreshing iced tea.

"Hmmm, I'm feelin' thirsty alright (rowl)" Ken played.

"Down, boy! Hee,hee! Or else I'm gonna have to nuder you. Ha, ha." Eliza joked as she placed the tray on the bench.

"Ouch. You could try, but I'll just keep coming....and coming........and coming." Ken giggled as he hugged his wife from behind kissing her on the neck.

"Keeeen! Sean, how you holding up against this bully?" asked Eliza.

"Oh, I'm doing my best. Ken said I was improving. I should be ready for the tournament tommorrow." Sean replied.

"Oh!" Eliza turned her head to face Ken. "Honey, I thought you said that Ryu was..." Then Ken pinch Eliza on the butt and glare at her as he cleared his throat.

"What?" Sean asked.

Eliza looked at Ken in confusion and realized what Ken was thinking. "Uh..I mean I thought that YOU, uh..you were going to help me clean up Mel's mess in the living room."

Then Mel came running into the room tugging on Ken's jogging pants. "Daddy! I finished the game! The last boss was tough, but I did that power wave and the boss died!"

"That's good son. Here, play with Sean while I talk to mommy ok?" Ken asked. "And Mel. Go easy on him." Sean grumbled at the insult.

Ken brought Eliza to the hall, closing the door behind him. Eliza lightly slapped him on the shoulder. "What was that for?" she asked.

"Shhhhh! I was going to tell him, but I was hoping he might not improve enough in time."

"Ken, you told me that you were going to take Ryu as your partner. How could you do this to Sean. He's really good!" Eliza whispered.

"I know he is, but Ryu is better. We fight better together. He's my best friend. I admit, Sean is a pretty good fighter, but Ryu is my equal! We could definately win the tournament!"

"Oh Ken. Why haven't you told Sean this?"

"....I..I didn't want to break the kid's heart. He reminds me of me when I was his age. He's got potential and he'll be a great fighter someday. But I wanna win." Ken said.

"Well, what have you told Ryu about it?" Eliza asked.

Ken looks at the floor in silence.

"Oh my God, you haven't talked to him have you!" Eliza raised her voice.

"Shhhhh! Calm down! It's not like Ryu has a pager or something. He's a hard guy to find. But I know where ever there's a huge tournament like this, I know he'll be there."

"Alright. Let's say that he will be there. But this is a tag team match, right? What if he already has a partner? Hmmm?" Eliza asked.

"Hahahahaha! Ryu? Already have a partner? Ryu's the most solitary man I know. I'm the only one he trusts. But, by some freak chance he does have a partner, I'll take Sean ok?" laughed Ken. "But I know, NO! I guarantee! That Ryu will be there AND he'll accept me as his partner. Besides, me and Ryu are like bread and butter, salt and pepper. We're best friends."

Eliza crosses her arms. "Really? What if by some freak chance he finds someone more talented or even stronger than you my dear."

Ken lifted his eyebrown and brought his wife closer to him. "More talented than me? Honey, who could Ryu find, who's more faster, more powerful, more graceful and more dashingly stunning of me?"