a

ip up for a second or she'd put me down hard. 'Light as a feather, rooted as a tree, touching heaven and earth', I kept chanting to myself while moving around. As I sidestepped, I landed a punch to her left rib, but she recovered quickly and immediately came at me with a punch to the face. She caught me just below the right eye, fvck! That was definitely gonna be a shiner, I moved to keep a good distance and landed a reverse roundhouse kick to the left rib again. Ha, always took t

reathing deeply, I started hearing the audience's cheers again, things came back into focus as I slowly recovered,

ial there. I bowed to the judges and my opponent, and as I left the mat I saw Peter waiting in the common area. As I exited

ed. My mouth opened slightly in shock, Peter had neve

ing my cheeks heat up even more as h

d saved my life, but lost his in the process fifteen years ago. I felt like, on some level, Peter blamed me. We had gotten very close since he suggested I start training to keep the nightmares at bay. No matter w

mmered, "I better hit the s

e cool water and felt my entire body wake up, I needed to break the sensual spell Peter had inadvertently awakened. I could still smell him. A little uneasy at my body's reaction to him, my mind replayed what his body felt like up aga

is tall frame engulfing me in a be

ce he was just a year old, when his mom passed away. When he turn

to celebrate tomorrow, we'll go out for dinner, " I beamed. He had come such a long way from the shy, awkward kid. H

ead, green eyes and a strong jaw, reminding me more and more of his beautiful mother every day. He would be gi

he always managed to produce. I could picture his opponent, feel the violence wrapped in such beauty, was I warped to see it as such? I was in awe as his body flowed from one movement into the next seamlessly, each technique laced with perfect form, speed, power and pinpoint accuracy. His startling kiai was like a roar from his sou

dy had let out a huge sigh, the heat of the water worked out some of the tension and the herbal fragrance of the bath oil produced mental pictures of a lush, fresh forest. I exhaled, pushing the last of the air out of my lungs and dipped my head underwater, the distorted sounds always making it feel somewhat alien. I came up, took in a brand new breath and invited peace. As

or N

this story. Please feel

rtial arts for the short shout utter

al training exercises in ka