The Blooming Flower Club
Ch 20- Fists of Fire, Legs of Water
It was Friday in the afternoon after school as a martial arts dojo as a group of kids in robes were imitating the moves their Sensi gave them as the followed their instructions, pushing their palms forward before making a stance as the teacher an old tiger looked at the kids, nodding, saying he was impressed at how the kids improved.
"Let's do one last sparring match then wrap things up for the evening," Master Cho said, calling his two best students forward. The first was the master's top student and his own grandson, a tiger named Travis who walked to the mat, bowing as Cho called the only other student on Travis' level, the Panda girl Sakura Kuno, who also bowed.
"Remember, this is just an exhibition, I need you both in shape for the Junior tournament next week," Cho said, instructing the two as they fought. Travis was the first to attack, starting with some simple punches as Sakura was easily dodging the punches, blocking with her arms as she grabbed Travis' arm, attempting to pull him down as Travis was able to pull back, Sakura rose her leg and spun it as Travis blocked the kick.
Despite being only 9 both of these kids were well trained and were the highest-ranked of Cho's students. The other kids admired the display and an array of moves were used as the kids were cheering as the two students continued. Travis was taught the art of Fire Style which centered on the upper body and focused more on attacking with speed, power and force, using the arms whereas Water Style was slower and focused on defense using the lower center of gravity and balance using the legs to attack.
Master Cho said the two styles were designed as complete opposites, which was why he taught these two styles only to his best pupils the match went on as both were sweating. Travis raised his arm, blocking another kick. Travis slammed his fist as Sakura smiled, catching the boy's blow guard as she swept his leg, sending him back as Sakura fell on him, the two almost touching lips as Sakura quickly stood up, being declared the winner, offering her arm and pulling Travis up as he complimented her. Travis had been laid on his back as the kid cheered Sakura who bowed
"Grandson in the future, keep your eyes open, so you don't fall for such a trick," Cho said, making kids quiet. Cho instructed that their lessons were over for the day. He requested that Travis and Sakura keep training and the other students use what they saw in this display, saying the kids were dismissed as Sakura left the dojo, walking beside Travis as he complimented her skills as she did the same.
"Can I ask why you were so set on learning with Master Cho if she used Water style?" Travis asked, explaining his family was skilled in Fire style and they were completely different. Sakura explained that her mother's family used water style and it would seem wrong to just abandon it as Travis nodded, saying it was important to value their families, walking down the sidewalk as Sakura looked at Travis, saying she was sorry about sweeping him.
"It's okay, I wasn't expecting you to sweep you and that was on me also, I'm glad we have this dynamic, we're both the best in class. The way I see it, we push each other to do better" Travis said as Sakura smiled, asking If Travis wanted to stop by for dinner as he admitted that he could eat, as they went into a restaurant where Sakura's parents worked. Travis opened the door as the scent of noodles took him pleasantly as they sat down at one of the tables, deciding to get a bowl of noodles to eat.
Sakura's mother came out holding two bowls of noodles as she set them on the table as the two kids thanked her, breaking their chopsticks apart as they began eating from the giant bowls. Sakura thanked Travis for coming as she admitted she enjoyed spending time with him, pinching the noodles with her chopsticks as placing them in her mouth, slurping the noodles as Travis did the same.
The two enjoyed their dinner as Travis finished up his bowl, saying he would pay Sakura for the noodles as she nodded, finishing up her bowl as they both set the empty bowls on the table. Sakura told him that the family would comp them the meal and that it was nice seeing him as Travis stood up, waving to Sakura as he left. Sakura got up, carrying the two bowls to the back, placing the bowls on a stack as her mother was sweeping the floor asking how she and her friend were doing.
Sakura mentioned how she defeated Travis in an exhibition as she smiled, proud with her daughter for her skills, sweeping the dust into a pan as Sakura smiled, saying she was gonna pack her stuff for Mary Ann's sleepover, reminding them she would not be home until Sunday evening.
"Are you sure it's okay if I go if you need the help around the restaurant I could always cancel?" Sakura explained as her mother shook her ahead, saying it was important that she spend time with her friends. Sakura thanked her as she climbed upstairs to the house, over the restaurant. Her bedroom was set in a traditional eastern style as she got her backpack, looking for stuff to pack, she got a change of clothes, a sleeping gown, some toiletries, and a few other things. Sakura checked the clock, seeing some time to clean up after her classes.
The young panda headed to the bathroom undressing as she headed to the bath, undoing her belt and robe, folding them as she placed her toes in the tub, gently sliding in, the steam filling the room as the hot water rushed over her. she laid back, sighing in relief, and the hot water relaxed her muscles. she always took a hot bath to calm down, dropping a cube into the bathwater as it fizzed up.
Sakura relaxed as her phone on the toilet lid was ringing, The young panda reached for it, seeing that Mary was calling as she ran her finger across the screen, asking why she was calling. Mary explained that she was checking who was going to the party and was verifying if Sakura was attending.
The Panda explained that she would be there, she was taking a bath right now, considering she just got home from martial arts and was refreshing up before leaving to go to the sleepover as Mary told her that she was having her butler get the limo to pick up the girls as Sakura nearly dropped the phone in the tub.
"Really, you're bringing a limo to pick me up," Sakura said a confused but not surprised by Mary using her wealth to have the limo pick them up, Sakura asked who was gonna be there as Mary looked over the guest list, saying that all the BFC girls would be there, including Joules who made their toys, and Daisy's roommate Tinker, also two new girls named Icicle and Cinder Vulpes as Sakura nodded.
"So, this isn't going to be just a BFC thing," Sakura asked as Mary stated that was correct saying she was telling all members to keep quiet about the BFC, although Joules was already giving Mary the package she was working on, she wasn't allowed to say what it was and none of the girls were allowed to discuss the BFC to either of the Vulpes twins.
"Daisy said the Tinker might be interested in joining but keep her in the dark too, the head girls will take care of recruitment" Mary stated as Sakura nodded. Mary went over that Sakura would be bunking with Rachel and asked if that was okay with her as Sakura did not mind, sharing a guest room with her as Mary thanked her, hanging up as Sakura placed the phone back on the closed toilet seat, finishing her bath.
The panda drained the water from the bath, getting out as she proceeded to dry off, running the towel over herself as she tossed the towel aside getting dressed in a silk dress, placing the chopsticks in her hair, looking in the mirror. Sakura sprayed some perfume on herself, sniffing the arm as she slung her bag over her shoulder.
"Mother, I'm leaving for the sleepover, see you on Sunday," Sakura said leaving the restaurant as her mother nodded, cleaning the tables as Sakura left the restaurant waiting until a black limo with a golden trim stopped by the restaurant as an adult wolf stepped from the driver's spot, looking at the panda cub.
"Your ride Miss Kuno," The wolf said, opening the back door as Sakura was amazed entering the limo seeing the other girls of the BFC as Sakura sat down inside, the butler, closing the door behind her. the limo drove off, Sakura asked where Mary Ann was as the butler got around entering the front door.
"Miss Sterling as getting things ready for your weekend, I do hope you young ladies will be on your best behavior," Conroy said, putting the key in the ignition as they all smiled.
"Don't worry Conroy, we will all be on our best behavior" Vicky said looking at the adult wolf as the limo drove off, heading the huge mansion outside the city as most of the girls looked in amazement.
"Yep, Mary Ann lives here, she and I used to have slumber parties all the time before the whole rumors thing, you all will love it here" Vicky added as the limo drove through two golden gates up to the huge mansion as Daisy looked amazed with the others.
