Music blared from all angles as the outdoor air breezed through Kai's hair. Around him he could hear laughter, conversation and smell beer from all the drunk teenagers around him. Takeshi seemed more relaxed as he nudged Kai.

"You need this," Takeshi said, grinning, "you've been too tense lately. Let's have some fun."

Kai sighed, still unsure why he let Takeshi convince him to come. They had agreed to come with Tory from Cobra Kai who had almost immediately left to find Robby.

The two made their way through the crowd toward the makeshift bar. Cups were being filled, and the loud crack of a keg being tapped signalled the night was in full swing. Kai wasn't in the mood for drinking and so he grabbed a can of soda he found on the table. As he grabbed it, he noticed Miguel and Hawk looking at him at the beer pong table.

"Great," Kai muttered under his breath.

Miguel glanced up, spotting them, Hawk leaned over the table with a smirk.

"Look who it is," Hawk said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Cobra Kai's golden boy and his sidekick."

Kai tensed, his jaw tightening, but it was Takeshi who stepped forward, his eyes narrowing.

"Careful, mohawk," Takeshi said evenly, "you don't want to start something you can't finish."

Miguel stepped between them, his gaze fixed on Kai. "We're not here to fight. But if you're looking for one, you know where to find us."

Kai sighed. "We're not your enemy."

Hawk scoffed. "You're Cobra Kai."

Kai opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, a loud commotion erupted.

"Fight! Fight!"

The chant started as a murmur but quickly grew louder, drawing everyone's attention. Kai turned to see Sam and Tory squaring off in the nearby distance, a circle of onlookers forming around them.

Sam's voice cut through the noise, sharp and furious. "You knew that Silver cheated at the All Valley, and you did nothing?"

Tory's expression hardened, but there was a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. "You don't know what it's like, what I've had to deal with."

Sam lunged at her, and the two clashed, exchanging a flurry of strikes that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Tory blocked and countered but Sam's rage fuelled her attacks.

"My entire family has suffered because of you!" Sam yelled, throwing Tory into the dumpster behind her.

Kai jumped forward, instinctively moving in front of Sam as Robby moved in front of Tory. There was an awkward moment as Miguel also tried to intervene but Kai had beaten him to it.

"Sam! That's enough!" Kai said, moving her back.

Sam shook him off, glaring at Tory with unrelenting anger. "She's been working with Kreese this whole time!"

"What?" Miguel's said from the side.

Tory's face fell. "Screw you, LaRusso. I knew this was a mistake."

She turned and stormed off as Kai pulled her to the side, allowing her time to cool off. He stood in silence, hands in his pockets waiting for Sam's breathing to steady. Once she had somewhat calmed down, he spoke.

"Sam..."

She glared at Kai. "What? Are you going to defend her?"

"No," Kai said, keeping his voice calm, "I just wanted make sure you're okay."

Sam let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, I'm fine. Just had to listen to Tory act like the victim while she helped Silver cheat and ruin everything."

Kai stepped closer, his hands in his pockets. "It's not that simple."

Sam's gaze snapped to his, her voice sharp. "Not that simple? Cobra Kai has terrorised my family! How can you even defend that? How can you even help Silver?"

"I'm not defending her," Kai replied quietly, "I'm saying there's more to her story than you think. You don't know what Silver does to people...what he's capable of."

Sam's expression softened slightly. "And you do?"

Kai exhaled, leaning against the railing beside her. "I've seen it. I've lived it. Silver...he's manipulative. Charming when he wants to be, but ruthless when he needs to be. He finds your weaknesses, your fears, and he uses them to control you."

Sam studied him for a moment, her voice softer now. "Is that what he's doing to you?"

Kai shook his head. "He wants to. But I won't let him, Sensei and Takeshi won't let him. He wants me and Takeshi to be his poster boys at the Sekai Taikai. But my heart is always with Tiger Claw. Sensei is just here because he owes Sensei Kim a favour."

There was a pause before Kai continued.

"But I've seen him do it to others. Kenny...Elijah..."

Her eyes searched his face, and for the first time since seeing him again, she let her guard down. "I was so angry when I saw you at the mall. Angry at what happened, what I did...but mostly..." she trailed off, her voice breaking slightly, "I was angry because because of me you left, and I didn't know if you were ever coming back."

Kai turned to her, guilt flashing across his face. "Sam, I didn't leave on purpose."

Sam swallowed hard. "I know..."

"I didn't remember you until I came back."

"And now you do?"

He looked at her. "Now, I remember bits and pieces. I think most of it. I remember how much you mean to, how much you've always meant to me. But I also remember how that led to my accident."

Sam blinked rapidly, trying to hold back tears. "I'm sorry Kai. You didn't deserve any of that."

Kai let out a small smile. "But that's just the way life goes."

Sam nodded. "If it's alright with you, can we have a fresh start?"

"Yeah, I'd like that." Kai replied. His heart knew how much she meant to him and every bone in his body told him to give her another chance.

"Ok well, hi. I'm Sam LaRusso."

Kai let out a small chuckle. "Nice to meet you Sam, I'm Kai Hilton."

The two of them continued in small conversation, feeling something between them rekindle before Kai had to leave and accompany Takeshi back home.

The next day, as Kai participated at the front of the pack for Cobra Kai's training, he couldn't help but overhear Silver's conversation with Sensei Kim.

"LaRusso. Lawrence. Toguchi." Silver spat. "They'll all pay for that little stunt they pulled with the Sekai Taikai."

Kim replied. "They are mosquitos. And the next time an unwanted pest lands on our arm, we will swat them."

As Kim walked away, she could hear the sound of footsteps echo behind her. She turned to find Sensei Yazuko approaching her.

"Sensei Kim." he said, bowing slightly. "A word."

Kim raised an eyebrow but inclined her head. "What is it, Sensei Yazuko?"

Yazuko straightened, his hands clasped behind his back, mirroring her own stance. "I have repaid my debt to your family. I honored your father by helping Cobra Kai gain entry to the Sekai Taikai."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "And you think that is enough?"

"It is not a matter of what you think," Yazuko replied evenly, "it is a matter of what is right. Your father gave his life to save mine. I have honoured his sacrifice by supporting your endeavour here. My duty is done."

Kim's voice sharpened like a whip. "And you would abandon this before the tournament?"

"I would return home," Yazuko said firmly, "Takeshi and Kai are coming with me. They are my students, and their future lies beyond this place."

Kim's laugh was short and humorless. "You underestimate the opportunity before you. The Sekai Taikai is not just for Cobra Kai. It is a stage for greatness. Your students could be legends."

"I do not need a tournament to make my students great," Yazuko replied, his tone unyielding. "they already are. And I will not let them be pawns in Silver's game."

Kim stepped closer, her dark eyes locking with his. "You are a fool to walk away from this."

Yazuko didn't flinch under her gaze. "I don't think I am. You may think so but that does not matter. I walk away with my honor intact. That is enough for me."

For a long moment, they stood in silence, the tension between them as sharp as a blade. Finally, Yazuko turned and walked away, motioning for his two students to come speak with him.

"We are leaving soon." he told them in Japanese.

Takeshi was ecstatic. "When otosan?"

"I have not yet decided."

Kai, on the other hand, was conflicted. He did not want to be at Cobra Kai any longer but he had just turned over a new leaf with Sam. Leaving would make things worse.

"Let's just go home first."

Despite the training still going on, the three of the swiftly left the dojo causing looks from Silver and the other students as well as a scoff from Elijah.

Back at home Kai flopped onto his bed. He picked up his phone and saw texts from Rae updating him about her day.

Rae. How could he forget?

In the blur of all the events that had been happening in the Valley he hadn't had the time to catch up with Rae. Of course he felt something with Rae, but with Sam back in the picture it was all so complicated.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. The connection he'd felt with Rae during his time in Japan was undeniable. Yet now, with Sam back in his life, those feelings were layered with complication. What he felt for Sam was deeper, they had a history.

He placed his phone on the bedside table, trying to ignore the internal tug-of-war. But the weight of it lingered.

Later that evening, as the moonlight spilled through his window, Kai made a decision. He pulled on a hoodie and jogged out the door, the cool night air hitting his face as he ran. His legs carried him instinctively to a familiar house, the porch light glowing softly in the distance.

He reached the LaRusso residence, panting, and knocked on the door. The sound echoed in the quiet night. Moments later, the door creaked open to reveal Sam, her expression shifting from confusion to surprise.

"Kai?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. "What's going on?"

"I-I needed to tell you something," he said, catching his breath. His chest rose and fell as he steadied himself.

"And you couldn't have texted me?" Sam joked, stepping aside and letting him in.

Kai smiled. "I thought I'd tell you in person...Sensei, he's planning to return to Japan soon. Which means I'll be leaving too."

Sam's face fell. The news hit her like a punch. "So, that's it? You're just leaving? Again?"

Kai shook his head, his voice softer now. "I don't want to leave yet. Not now, not when we're in a good place now. But he's my Sensei, Sam. He's done so much for me. I owe him...everything."

She looked away. "We've just started figuring things out, Kai. And now you're leaving again? Do you know how hard it was the first time?"

"I do," he said, his voice steady, "and I hate this as much as you do. But I'm not running away. I'm not saying goodbye forever."

Sam turned back to him. "Then what are you saying?"

Kai took a step closer, his eyes pleading. "I'm saying we find a way. I'll message you, call you, come back and visit. You know I'll come back."

Her lips quirked into a sad smile. "It's not the same, Kai. But..." she trailed off, her expression softening, "it's better than nothing."

They stood there in silence for a moment but then Sam reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "You better keep your word. Because if you don't, I'll find a way to kick your ass all the way back here."

Kai chuckled, the sound lightening the tension. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

She smiled, and for the first time that night, it felt real. "I'll hold you to that."

Kai nodded, relief washing over him.

"I promise, Sam."