Standing tall and straight like rows of bamboo, the twelve lightly-dressed students bent their bodies to the left, their arms extended, their fingers intertwined, squishy yoga mats beneath their feet.

“Good, good. Hold your positions.” The small, elderly woman at the front ordered, matching the same pose. “The river washes past you, bending you but not breaking you. Hold, hold… and relax.”

The class of students did as asked, and the little black lady leading them leaned the other way.

“Now bend the other way.” She said, and her students obeyed. “You must be flexible like the river. Ease the tension along your body, feel the ki within flex and flow as you loosen up….”

The western wall suddenly burst into a spray of splinters, the students shrieking in surprise. Ai Li rushed through the opening towards Hanabi on the floor, only for her lunge to get intercepted by a foot that guided her over head and through the opposite wall, and the muscled girl rose to her feet and raced after her opponent, twin yelps and ‘kiai’s erupting from the other room.

The teacher took a deep breath, and let it go slowly as she straightened up. “And relax. Be sure to wipe the wood chips off your mats, everyone. Sink to your hands and knees like a dog, and we will—”

Ai Li rolled over a massage bed and kicked it across the room as Hanabi thundered towards her, but it barely served to slow the larger girl’s momentum as she simply rolled over it and closed the gap.

A dozen finger-strikes flew at her like arrows, but Hanabi weaved and deflected, her slower fists cutting through the air as the Chinese girl ducked and tried to find an opening in Hanabi’s form.

Hanabi leaned left out of the way of a strike, her arm reaching out to grab the mattress of a massage bed, and swung it at the small girl.

The distraction worked, Ai Li’s eyes were on the mattress, but Hanabi didn’t have the chance to capitalize; the smaller girl’s hands quickly turned the mattress’ momentum back on Hanabi, sending her stumbling back and throwing the furniture aside in time to dodge a knife-strike to her chest.

That Hanabi lept upon, grabbing Ai Li’s wrist and dragging her into Hanabi’s muscular arms, lashing around her neck like a python as the small girl struggled and gasped.

It should have been a simple choke-hold cutting off the blood flow up the neck and into the brain with a squeeze of her bicep, but Ai Li’s pointer finger dug into the shoulder of Hanabi’s gripping arm, and a sharp yelp escaped Hanabi’s mouth.

Ai Li spun across the room between the rows of spare massage tables, catching her breath as Hanabi’s arm hung loosely in front of her.

At first, Hanabi had felt a small, needle-like pain in her arm, so small and quaint that she could have easily ignored it as the desperate attack of a defeated opponent, but then an ice-cold numbness crawled outwards from her shoulder and across her bicep.

Hanabi grit her teeth and squeezed the spot, but she couldn’t even feel her fingers digging into her muscles; she could bend her elbow and make a fist, but what could she accomplish without her shoulder?

She heard a rapid series of footsteps ahead of her, and raised her still functioning arm, her hand tightly squeezing around the wrist of the finger-strike aimed between her eyes.

She glanced up to see Ai Li’s look of surprise, and tugged her forward, bringing her directly into a thrust kick that sent the girl through the door of the storage room and rolling out into the hallway with a small ‘eek!’

Hanabi growled, and tried to roll her arm, feeling the waves of numbness receding into those fiery needle-pricks, and glared at the young girl standing up to stare at her with a pant.

“I’m sorry.” The girl suddenly said in a perfect English accent, her voice high and almost sugary sweet despite the gravity of their encounter. “I did not mean to dishonor you by underestimating you.”

With that said, her stance shifted, no longer crouched and aggressive, she straightened up, her legs set wide, her arms held out with her fingers and toes spread and extended, like she was ready to catch anything thrown her way.

“I will not make that mistake again.”

Hanabi stared at the girl blankly, a moment of silence filling the air between them, Ai Li’s expression hard and determined… until Hanabi gave a quick, labored laugh, and straightened up herself, rolling her arm now that her shoulder felt normal.

Ai Li bristled. “Wh-what? What?! Don’t you laugh at me!”

“C’mon, you’re talking like an old dude in a martial arts movie.” Hanabi snickered, sucking in a deep breath to calm the tension filling her stomach. “It’s kinda funny hearing it from a teenage girl.”

“Y-you’re one to talk!” Ai Li spat back, her stance trembling.

“Hey, I’m college-age! I’m past my chuunibyou years.”

“You—” Ai Li began furiously, only for her body to move before her brain could think, her extended hands grabbing, directing Hanabi’s fist past her head and through the wall behind her, putting them face to face.

Before Hanabi could comprehend what happened, a small forehead collided with her nose, sending her back a step, and a finger-tap to her groin, right above the womb, caused her abdomen to tighten up in the worst cramp she’d ever felt.

Her knees hit the wooden floor hard and she held her stomach, all the strength leaving her legs from the pain racing from the point. Between her life of eating spicy food and martial arts, she had had some gnarly period pains before, but this was the first time she felt like her womb was going to explode.

Hanabi took a deep breath; Ai Li was looming over her, and she could feel her neck and back tingle in alarm from their exposure.

Oh this was not a good idea.

She felt the knot in her side pulse hotly as she tapped into her ki, and she dredged up the slight spice in the chili from the Medeo Dawg she’d eaten earlier. Fire burned through her veins and across her body, building up in her abdomen to incinerate the foreign ki, while at the same time rolling out of the way of another strike.

The cramp in her left side burned, and burned, and burned, so painfully hot that Hanabi was feeling her body cook from the heat, but she had to ignore it and push through.

She threw herself forward, and Ai Li yelped in surprise as she tried to line up a counterattack, but rather than punch at her, Hanabi slammed into her like the combination of a football player and a flaming bull, carrying her down the hallway in her arms with a rising yell, steam flying off her body before cutting the flow of her own ki with a bite of her tongue.

Ai Li struggled in her arms, but Hanabi’s strength won out, and the two flew through a doorway and slammed into a counter. A collection of white-outfitted chefs stared in shock, before racing out of the room as Ai Li crumpled to the floor with a groan, Hanabi stumbling back to lean against another counter as the heated tingling in her cramping side grew worse and worse, almost bubbling like it was about to explode, but she twisted her head as she smelled a particular smell.

M-mint?

The kitchen! And they were preparing ice cream with mint leaves!

Hanabi cringed, but grabbed the stray sprigs of mint and forced them into her mouth to chew. The unique, tingling chill of menthol flooded her taste buds and went down her throat like she was swallowing an ice cube, the sweet flavor drowned out by the sensation of cool that made Hanabi squirm in discomfort and regret the very existence of such a sensation!

Why was it cold?! Cold spice was a goddamned sin! She wanted it to burn, and hurt, and set her aflame, but…

As the minty coolness spread across her body, her ki responded in kind, slowing and sluggish, chilly and refreshed, the burning knot in her side threatening to pop like a firework instead calming until Hanabi could stand straight again.

Mint was inarguably awful in Hanabi’s book, but for once it was useful…

She heard a groan, and turned to stare as Ai Li got to her feet, shaking her head and putting her hands up at the ready, glaring at Hanabi as both girls panted in exertion.

“I…” Ai Li said between gasps for air, “I won’t fall to the likes of you!”

“Who are the likes of me?” Hanabi asked. Ai Li stared blankly, her posture not changing as she tried to process the question. Hanabi spun on her heels and leaned against the counter, a bowl of ice cream in hand, a spoon in the other, and she took a bite.

Ai Li gasped! “H-HEY!”

“Oh this is good vanilla… oooh, and that cinnamon dusting is awesome.”

“THAT’S FOR THE GUESTS!” Ai Li shrieked and flew forward, a finger strike flying wildly towards Hanabi’s body, but the bigger girl flicked her spoon up, and all of Ai Li’s momentum was suddenly cut short by the utensil. She could only stare in surprise that her attack was blocked by a spoon.

“I’m here, I’m a guest.” Hanabi insisted, whipping her spoon back to shovel another bite into her mouth. “Oooh, are these crumbled almonds at the bottom?!”

“Yes! PUT THAT DOWN and FIGHT ME, damnit!” Ai Li stepped in, aiming precise strikes at Hanabi’s arms and torso, but to Ai Li’s rising fury, Hanabi simply dodged away, now frantically shoveling the treat into her mouth.

“Ah!” Hanabi slapped a hand to her forehead. “Brainfreeze!”

“You deserve it you meanie!” Ai Li squeaked in a rage, jumping and kicking off of the counter, her foot arcing for Hanabi’s chin as the bigger girl exhaled, and Ai Li found herself caught in a biting cold blast, tumbling to the floor with a yelp of discomfort before scrambling to put some distance between herself and Hanabi.

Ai Li glanced up with a pant in time to see her grandfather at the kitchen door, along with a number of white-suited employees joining to watch with wide eyes, as well as a handful of guests squeezing their way in to see Hanabi clutch her forehead in groaning pain as Ai Li stood, shaking as ice crystals hung off of her sleeves and hair.

“Get her, Ai Li!” One of the employees shouted.

“Yes! END HER EXISTENCE!” Chaoxiang howled as the two girls recovered and eyed one another.

“I’m trying, grandpa, stop shouting!”

The two almost collided with one another, Ai Li’s fingertips snapping at Hanabi like snakebites, only to be repelled by the still cold, sticky ice cream bowl. Ai Li swung a high kick towards Hanabi’s head, gritting her teeth as she found her attack held back by a stupid metal spoon, and gave an inarticulate squeak as Hanabi kicked her straight between the legs, sending her across the room.

Catching herself on the counter, her legs wobbling like jelly, Ai Li glanced up at the utensil rack hanging off the wall, and Hanabi slid to a stop as a fork flew past her head.

A big soup spoon was caught in the ice cream bowl, and Hanabi’s hand shot around her catching the utensils thrown her way as Ai Li used the distraction to pull open some kitchen drawers.

The bowl full of cutlery slid down the counter and tipped into a sink full of sudsy water, and Hanabi’s face paled as she ducked backwards, a butcher’s blade passing a hair’s breadth over her face. She straightened up and danced out of the way of the next three knives, but then Ai Li’s arm cocked back with an absolutely gorgeous looking kitchen knife.

“Ooh!” Hanabi clapped her hands excitedly. “Throw it!”

Ai Li’s eyebrow raised, and she complied, flinging the knife with the intent to put it through Hanabi’s heart, but Hanabi’s hand whisked the blade out of the air, and she stared down at the knife with a broad grin.

“Good balance, good steel, grip’s a little tough… Did you guys just get this knife?”

“How would I know?!” Ai Li flapped her arms angrily. “Stop screwing around and take this seriously!”

“Hold on, I’m trying to read what brand this is!” Hanabi insisted giddily, staring at the light inscription in the metal, but her view grew red as a tomato collided with her face.

“I said fight me!” Ai Li ordered, “FIGHT ME!”

“Throw me another tomato!”

Ai Li gave a screech of fury, and closed the gap, a small fist hammering Hanabi’s hip in the girl’s fury, the burst of ki more uncontrolled, but hitting hard enough to send Hanabi spinning into counter with a grunt.

The smaller girl lunged, only to stop short as a knife blade bit into her throat, a simple swipe away from cutting through the flesh and drawing blood.

If Ai Li was at the mercy of a more ruthless woman, she may very well have had her short life cut even shorter, but despite the absolute power Hanabi held over the girl in the moment, she kicked her across the room, both girls taking a moment to recover.

The room had quiet, cold even, with the onlookers staring in mixed relief and concern, Ai Li grasping her throat. Hanabi eyed the knife with a sense of affection, but set it aside and focused her gaze on Ai Li.

She swallowed thickly, and released a low, heated breath. “I’m sorry if I scared you.”

“I-I wasn’t—” Ai Li stumbled over her words for a moment, clearly agitated even as she took her hand from her neck. “What are you apologizing for?! This is a fight, isn’t it?!” She demanded, shaking in place.

“That’s no excuse to take a life!” Hanabi exclaimed, more confused than anything.

“She’s trying to confuse you, Ai Li!” Chaoxiang barked from the sideline, holding up a fist at Hanabi. “She’s too weak-willed to follow through! This is your chance to destroy her!”

Ai Li’s face twisted up, conflicted for a moment, and before Hanabi could refute the old man, the younger girl shot towards her with one arm extended.

Hanabi gasped as the fingers jabbed her chest, and a chill crossed her body, overcoming the fading minty-coolness and causing her entire body to, ever-so-briefly, feel heavy and weightless all at once, but before Hanabi could hope to recover, another strike hit her belly, a finger jab to her shoulder.

The horrid, numb feeling made Hanabi gasp as her legs suddenly refused to bear her weight, and Ai Li grabbed her wrist and threw her to the floor behind her, landing heavily on her front, barely able to lift her arms, but unable to fight the strength to push herself up.

The watching crowd cheered, braying for Hanabi’s blood. She felt Ai Li’s presence above her, and she struggled to force the feeling back into her body. She grit her teeth; had she really let her bleeding heart put her in this position?! She tried to draw up the flame within her ki, but she’d barely eaten since breakfast, and that hot dog hadn’t been enough…

She couldn’t draw on the spice, the fire, or the strength, only try and force her powerless arms beneath her to push herself up, before a sharp stab between her left ribs, and foreign ki flooded her torso, leaving her gasping, then gagging as a powerful pain exploded from her ki clot.

It felt, for all of a moment, that Hanabi’s chest was about to explode, and just as quickly the pain faded away to relieving numbness, and she laid flat on the floor, panting heavily. The cheering faded into confused demands and murmurs of dissatisfaction, but Ai Li ignored them.

Feeling returned to Hanabi’s torso, and slowly she turned to look back. A golden needle from Ai Li’s hair stuck out from between her ribs, the Chinese girl resting a single fingertip on the end jutting out. After a few more moments, Hanabi winced as the needle was tugged out of her body, and rolling onto her side, she rubbed the spot.

“AI LIIIII!”

“Shut up, grandpa!” Ai Li snapped, and the old man covered his mouth, the rest of the crowd gasping at the disrespect as the girl knelt down to touch Hanabi’s side, giving her a flat frown. “You are Japanese, yes?”

“Hai.” Hanabi confirmed between labored breaths, feeling… better, like something was flowing through her body properly.

“And you came to my home to heal that dam?”

“Yeah…”

Ai Li sighed thickly, and pinched the bridge of her nose. “You did not come here to destroy the He Bo Water Needle Style, my family and business for being Chinese, or to challenge me for the tournament?”

“No, no, and I have no clue what tournament you’re talking about…”

“Ugh, and worst of all, you’ve been fighting me gimped by that dam.”

Hanabi sat up, the two girls staring at one another for a moment. “How’d you know…?”

Ai Li’s face twisted up in annoyance. “I’ve poked you enough to figure it out. I’m a prodigy after all.”

An angry bark made both girls glance at the door. “Don’t make friends with the Jap, Ai Li! Her people are the very essence of evil, she’ll burn this place to the ground and—”

A golden needle thunked between his eyes.

“Iiinnnssoooooleeeennnt giiiirrrllll…” Chaoxiang groaned, before collapsing backwards into the arms of his employees.

“Master Li!”

“Oh no!”

“He’s fine.” Ai Li grunted. “Take the needle out and he’ll get up and sulk about it in minutes.”

Hanabi snickered a bit. Her momentary levity was interrupted when Ai Li bowed to her, prostrating in near total submission.

“On behalf of the Huang He Healing Center, I want to apologize for the disrespect my grandfather has shown you; he is very set in my ways.” Ai Li’s forehead thunked against the floor. “I can’t even watch anime without him screaming at me.”

Hanabi cackled, ruffling Ai Li’s hair and drawing angry squeaks. “Hey, I came to get healed and I got healed, so no skin off my nose.”

A hand caught Hanabi’s wrist, and Ai Li stood, glowering down at the girl. Actually, it was more than a glower, Hanabi caught a twitch in the girl’s cheek, an attempt to hold back some sort of emotional outpouring…

“Are you okay…?”

“I want to resume our fight.” Ai Li said firmly, drawing a scrunch of Hanabi’s brow.

Hanabi squirmed in place, frowning. “Why?”

“I’m the He Bo Water Needle prodigy.” Ai Li reiterated, though it seemed more to herself than Hanabi. “I don’t want to be treated like a little girl anymore, I’m a fighter, like my father. Maybe I still have homework and worry about going on dates, but I came this far on my own; I’m sick of older people overlooking me because I’m a healer…”

Hanabi stared, and slowly drew herself up, getting to her feet as Ai Li watched, and followed suit, sizing up the bigger, broader girl as she rubbed her side and hummed. “You know, I can kinda sympathize.”

Ai Li raised an eyebrow curiously.

“All my life, all I ever wanted to be was a cook.” Hanabi grinned to herself, looking around the kitchen. “Oh, I just love food so much, but people take a look at me and guess pretty quickly I’m enlightened, and they try picking fights, breaking stuff to make me fight them…” She rubbed the back of her head with a sigh. “Nobody seems to believe all I want to do with my powers is enjoy food.”

Ai Li flinched, and with a heavy weight on her shoulders, shakily bowed low. “I’m… very sorry to have interrupted your dream with my demands.”

“Don’t be.” Hanabi rested a hand on Ai Li’s head, helping straighten back up. “I’ll fight you, no distractions this time, no ki clot, or ki dam, or whatever it was.”

“Technically it was a collapse in your ki system; those usually sort out in a few weeks, but…”

“Fire makes it worse?”

“A lot worse.” Ai Li shook her head. “But whatever about that.” Ai Li gave Hanabi a pleading look. “Y-you mean it? You’ll fight me?”

“Cook to healer, fighter to fighter.” Hanabi grinned. “You mind if I rest this off a bit first, though?”

Ai Li bobbed her head, looking excited by the prospect. “Of course! Even if I don’t win, it will look good on my tournament record if I find my own fights!”

Hanabi nodded her head, not quite comprehending the girl’s excitement, but glancing around the room, she knew how she wanted to spend her relaxation time.