𝟬𝟬𝟯, cute runs in the family

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im so sorry for all the notifications but please stop being a ghost reader!!!! us writers work hard on these chapters. i know i ask this a lot, but i really don't like ghost readers because i work super hard on these chapters so when i see views going up bt votes not its hard for my motivation!

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Sasha lay sprawled on her stomach on the hotel bed, her fingers digging into the edges of a spare pillow clutched tightly against her chest. It felt like the only thing keeping her grounded as the storm of tension in the room swirled around her. The air felt heavy, thick with unspoken accusations and simmering resentment. Even the hum of the air conditioning couldn't cut through the oppressive atmosphere that had settled like a shroud.

Everyone was pissed at Robby.

And they weren't exactly subtle about it.

The botched gamble at the aquarium had left them all in an uncomfortable bind, forcing a cramped and chaotic new arrangement: Robby and Demetri sharing a room with Eli and Miguel. Four teenage boys. Two beds. Zero patience.

Predictably, it was already a disaster.

The door creaked open, and Demetri trudged inside, dragging his feet like he was walking to his own execution. His shoulders slumped under the weight of his duffel bag, and his face was etched with the unmistakable weariness of someone who'd had a truly awful day.

"Well, this sucks," he muttered, tossing his bag onto the nearest bed with a theatrical huff.

Sam followed close behind, her arms crossed over her chest and her expression sharp enough to cut glass. "Not a very smart gamble, boys," she said, her voice brimming with thinly veiled judgment as her glare locked onto Robby like a homing missile.

Demetri wasn't about to miss his cue. He shot Robby a pointed look, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he said, "Yeah, because someone said it wasn't gonna be a gamble."

Robby, who had been leaning against the dresser with his arms folded tightly across his chest, straightened at the comment, his jaw clenching. "I told you guys to stay away from Cobra Kai," he snapped, his voice low and biting. "It's that simple."

Eli, perched in the corner with an air of barely restrained disdain, narrowed his eyes. "If it's so simple, maybe you should follow your own advice."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Robby shot back, his voice rising.

Eli shrugged, his smirk curling into something smug and knowing. "Oh, we all saw you talking to Tory earlier," he said casually, like he was dropping a grenade into the middle of the conversation and waiting for the explosion.

Robby's brow furrowed, confusion flickering across his face. "What are you talking about?"

Eli leaned back, crossing his arms as though he were settling in for the show. "Come on. Tory's your girlfriend. Everyone knows that," he said, his tone deliberately nonchalant but laced with mocking amusement.

Sasha, who had been silently stewing on the bed, couldn't hold back her frustration any longer. She let out a sharp scoff, sitting up and shooting Eli a glare. "Oh, for God's sake, this is ridiculous," she snapped, her voice cutting through the tension. "Robby has every right to talk to Tory. She's his girlfriend. Why wouldn't he?"

Miguel, always the voice of reason, raised a hand in a placating gesture. "Yeah, but we're all dealing with what she decided," he said, his tone even but firm. His gaze flickered to Robby, his expression neutral but unyielding. "It's not just about you, man."

Before anyone could respond, Sam dropped the real bombshell. Her voice was icy, and the words hit like a slap. "I wouldn't say that exactly. Robby knew Kreese went to Tory."

The room froze.

Sasha's breath caught, her eyes snapping to Sam as a wave of shock washed over her. "What?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Every set of eyes turned to Robby, whose guarded expression faltered for the first time. He looked cornered, his gaze darting around the room as if searching for an escape. Finally, he ran a hand through his hair and exhaled sharply.

"Yeah, okay, I knew Kreese talked to her," he admitted, the words spilling out in a rush. "But it was before her mom died. He was trash-talking Miyagi-Do, saying she wouldn't have a fair shot, but she told him to get lost. I didn't think it would go anywhere."

Sam's jaw tightened, her voice slicing through the air like a knife. "Kreese played you. And her. That's what he does, Robby."

Robby's defenses crumbled further. His voice softened, the edge giving way to frustration and something that sounded dangerously close to pleading. "Come on, guys. That's not fair. I didn't lie."

The room fell into an uneasy silence, the weight of the revelation pressing down on everyone like a tangible force.

Finally, Robby turned to Sasha, his expression almost desperate. "Sasha?"

He looked at her like she was his lifeline, his anchor in the storm. The one person who might still be on his side.

But Sasha couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze. She stared down at the pillow in her lap, her grip tightening as if holding onto it would keep her from falling apart.

She didn't say a word.

And in that silence, the last bit of fight seemed to drain out of Robby. His shoulders slumped, and he looked away, the judgment in the room pressing heavier against him with every passing second.

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The dim lighting of the hotel hallway stretched ahead of Sasha like an endless tunnel, the plush carpet muffling her hurried footsteps. Her chest still felt tight from the tension back in Miguel's room, and the weight of the argument lingered over her like a storm cloud. She glanced at her phone, a text from her mom sitting unopened on the screen. Anything to distract herself from replaying the heated exchange in her head.

Her hands were shaky as she swiped to open the message, her focus entirely on the screen. She barely noticed her grip loosening until-thunk.

The phone slipped from her hand, clattering loudly on the carpeted floor.

"Careful," a warm, teasing voice broke through her spiraling thoughts.

Sasha froze, the sound jolting her like static electricity. She looked up, her pulse quickening as she saw Kwon crouching down to pick up her phone. He straightened and held it out to her, his usual easygoing smile lighting up his face.

"Here you go," he said casually, like this was just another friendly interaction. But the way his smile lingered made Sasha's stomach flip.

"Uh... thanks," she stammered, reaching out to grab it. But before she could pull it back, her mom's text popped open, revealing a photo of Comet-a goofy shot of the golden retriever sitting proudly on the lawn, his tongue lolling out.

Kwon's eyebrows raised as his eyes flicked to the screen. "Well, would you look at that," he said, holding the phone slightly closer to get a better look. "Who's this handsome guy?"

"That's, uh, Comet," Sasha blurted out, her voice shaky as her face flushed bright red. "My-um-our dog. I mean, he's mostly my mom's dog, but-uh-we share him. Sometimes."

Kwon chuckled softly, his grin widening as he studied the picture. "Comet, huh? Cute name for a cute dog. What breed is he?"

"Golden retriever," Sasha said quickly, her words tumbling over each other. "He's, um, super friendly. Loves people. Very... golden retriever-y."

He laughed again, his voice warm and smooth like melted caramel. "Well, he's adorable. Must run in the family."

Sasha blinked, her heart skipping several beats at the casual flirtation. "I-uh-thank you?" she squeaked, unsure if that even made sense as a response.

The corners of Kwon's mouth twitched, his amusement clear. "You're welcome," he said, handing her phone back. "But seriously, try not to drop this again. Who knows? Maybe next time I'll ask for Comet's number instead of yours."

Her breath hitched, and she stared at him, wide-eyed, as he winked and started to walk away. The sound of his footsteps echoed in the quiet hallway, leaving Sasha rooted to the spot, clutching her phone like it was the only thing tethering her to reality.

The door to Miguel's hotel room creaked open behind her, and Sasha jumped, spinning around as Sam stepped out. Her sister arched an eyebrow, taking in Sasha's flushed cheeks and dazed expression.

"What's got you all flustered?" Sam asked, leaning casually against the doorframe. Her arms were crossed, her tone tinged with suspicion.

"Nothing!" Sasha blurted out, her voice an octave too high. She shoved her phone into her pocket like it was incriminating evidence. "I'm fine. Totally fine."

Sam narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. "Right. Totally fine."

"Yep," Sasha said, her words tumbling out in a rush. "Let's go back to the room. Long day. So much happened. Let's just... move on."

Sam's gaze lingered on her for a moment before she sighed and turned toward the hallway. "Alright, if you say so."

As they walked side by side back to their shared hotel room, Sasha kept her head down, desperately hoping Sam wouldn't press her further. But her mind wasn't on Sam or even the argument earlier.

It was stuck on Kwon-his smile, his teasing tone, and the way her chest had fluttered when he called her cute.

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The Sekai Taikai arena buzzed with the overwhelming energy of the crowd, a mass of excited voices blending into a roar of anticipation that seemed to echo through every inch of the massive space. The air was thick with tension, crackling with the power of a thousand watchful eyes. Sasha stood motionless, a solitary figure in the center of the mat, surrounded by her teammates. The lights overhead were so bright they felt almost blinding, cutting through the space like a thousand searching beams. They cast long, harsh shadows on the smooth mats beneath them, magnifying the weight of the moment. The pressure was suffocating.

Despite her attempts to remain composed, Sasha's body was rigid with the fight against the rising tide of nerves in her stomach. Her arms were crossed tightly in front of her chest as she tried to keep her breathing steady. But no matter how hard she tried to calm herself, the tight knot of anxiety gnawed at her insides. Her heart pounded in her chest like a war drum, each thump echoing in her ears. There was no escaping it. Not now. Not here.

And then, as if fate had a cruel sense of humor, she spotted him.

Kwon.

He was standing with Cobra Kai across the arena, his posture relaxed and his expression cool, but the second his eyes locked onto hers, something shifted. A small, knowing smile curved his lips, and Sasha's breath hitched. She immediately felt a flutter of butterflies deep in her stomach. The smile was playful, teasing even, and it sent an electric current through her body.

Sasha tried to force her attention back to the match, but her mind was too clouded. Was he flirting with her? He had to be. But then again, he was on Cobra Kai. He was the enemy. Sasha couldn't-shouldn't-get distracted by him. He was part of the team they were supposed to be up against. It was the last thing she should be thinking about.

Her inner conflict only deepened when the loud voice of Gunther Braun rang out, cutting through the clamor of the crowd and the nervous buzz of the teams.

"The time has come!" Gunther's voice boomed, his charismatic energy filling every inch of the arena, drawing the attention of everyone around. His presence seemed to command the space, his every word amplified by the tension in the air.

"Welcome to the first event of Sekai Taikai!" Gunther continued, pausing for dramatic effect as the audience's noise reached a fever pitch. "I hope you're all well-rested and ready for what promises to be a unique and unforgettable competition!"

Sasha clenched her jaw, trying to keep her expression neutral. But the tightness in her chest made it hard to breathe. The moment felt too big. Too important. Too real. The stakes were so high. She couldn't afford to lose focus.

"We call this the Captain's War," Gunther's voice rang out, slicing through the thick tension. "Four dojos take the mat, but only one will be left standing. If you hit the mat, you're out. And if one of your captains hits the mat, your entire team is eliminated from this round."

Sasha's heart dropped. Losing one captain meant losing everything. The weight of the responsibility felt heavier than it ever had before. She could feel the eyes of her teammates on her, their faith in her unwavering, but she couldn't shake the feeling of dread. What if I fail?

Gunther paused for effect, his voice suddenly growing softer, more dangerous. "Check the boards to see your groups," he added, his eyes glinting with excitement. "Group A, you're up!"

Sasha's gaze snapped to the giant screen behind Gunther. Her stomach lurched as she saw the matchup. Cobra Kai. Of course. Of course they were up against Cobra Kai. That meant she had to fight Kwon. The boy who'd been making her stomach do flips ever since their first interaction.

She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as the thought crossed her mind. Stop it. Stop thinking about him.

From behind her, Sensei LaRusso muttered under his breath, his tone low but still audible. "Cobra Kai. Naturally."

The team huddled close, their words sharp but steady as they prepared. The air was thick with uncertainty, each of them understanding the immense challenge that lay ahead.

"Let them come to us," Miguel's calm, grounded voice cut through the murmurs, bringing focus back to the present. "We wait for them to make a move. Sasha, stay focused."

"Protect the egg," Sam added, her voice unwavering. Her eyes scanned the group, looking for any weakness, any sign of distraction. "Make sure Sasha and Robby stay safe."

Robby shifted, his posture stiff with tension. "I can be on the front line," he said, his voice laced with the need to prove himself.

Miguel's gaze snapped to Robby, sharp and deliberate. "No. You stay back and stay focused," he commanded.

Robby's frustration flared, his voice tight with anger. "Why wouldn't I be focused?" he bit out, his words simmering with resentment.

Miguel's eyes softened, but his tone remained calm and measured. "You left the hotel room last night," he said quietly, but with authority, and Sasha could see the hidden weight behind the words.

Before Robby could retort, Sensei LaRusso stepped into the huddle, his presence an anchor in the midst of rising emotions. His voice, though steady, carried a sharp authority that immediately quieted the group. "I know it hasn't always been easy, but we've made it this far. Don't forget why you're here. Fight for each other."

The team nodded, their resolve hardening. Still, Sasha could feel the cracks in their unity, the cracks in herself.

"And wipe the smirks off their ugly faces," Sensei Lawrence added gruffly, his voice breaking the tension with the familiar humor that always seemed to make things a little better.

Sasha couldn't help but laugh softly at that, the tension in her chest loosening just a little. Maybe they could do this after all.

Gunther's voice rang out again, commanding and unyielding. "Ready? Begin!"

The chaos of the match erupted almost instantly, the air thick with energy as fighters from both sides clashed. Tory charged forward with wild determination, her eyes locked on her target-Sasha's team.

"Protect the egg!" Demetri called out, his voice shaking slightly as he positioned himself in front of the team, doing his best to block Tory's advance.

But Tory was faster. She swept Demetri's legs out from under him with the cold precision of a well-trained fighter, sending him crashing to the mat.

"Demetri's out!" Miguel called sharply, barely sparing a glance as he engaged in a battle of his own with another Cobra Kai fighter.

Sasha's focus narrowed, but before she could even register what was happening, a Cobra Kai fighter charged toward her, his eyes gleaming with the anticipation of the fight. She reacted without thinking, every instinct honed by years of training screaming at her to defend herself. He came at her with speed and aggression, his strikes quick, powerful, and brutal-but still, they were predictable.

"Stay on him, Sasha!" Sam shouted from behind her, her voice urgent, slicing through the chaos.

Sasha didn't need telling twice. She ducked under a high kick, her body moving fluidly as she sidestepped his next attack. With practiced ease, she countered with a sharp kick to his chest, knocking him off balance. But before she could capitalize on the opening, another Cobra Kai fighter charged in from the side, forcing her to split her attention.

"Watch your left, Sasha!" Robby shouted.

Her eyes flicked instinctively to the left. But in that split second of vulnerability, Kwon lunged at her from the side, fast and fluid, catching her completely off guard.

Time seemed to slow as his movements flowed with an almost predatory grace, and for just a moment, Sasha's focus wavered. Kwon's presence was impossible to ignore, his smile taunting her from beneath his steely gaze. His playful banter in the midst of the chaos only added to the confusion.

"You're quick, but not quick enough," Kwon teased, his voice low, and his words clearly meant to throw her off balance.

Sasha could barely respond before his foot swept her off balance, sending her crashing to the mat.

"Sasha's out! Miyagi-Do is eliminated for this round!" Gunther's voice rang out, louder than the roar of the crowd.

Sasha froze. The words hit her like a punch to the gut, and her heart sank. She couldn't believe it. She'd failed.

Sam stormed over, her expression hard, her anger palpable. "What was that?" she demanded, her voice low and furious.

Sasha opened her mouth, but no words came out. She was lost, dazed. Her eyes flicked to Kwon, who was smirking at her from across the mat, engaged in a battle with the Iron Dragons now.

Sam's voice cut through her fog. "Seriously? I can't believe you're falling for him! He's the enemy!" she spat, her voice laced with disbelief.

Sasha stood frozen, her mind a whirlwind of confusion. How could she explain this? How could she tell Sam that it wasn't just about the fight, that Kwon had distracted her in ways she hadn't even expected?

Miguel stepped forward, pushing Sam back with a firm hand. "Sam, leave her alone," he said firmly, his voice calm but insistent.

Sam rolled her eyes but walked back to the sidelines, her frustration still evident.

Miguel turned to Sasha, his expression filled with concern. "You okay?"

Sasha didn't respond. Without another word, she spun on her heel and ran down the hallway, her footsteps echoing in the silence. She slid down the wall, her head in her hands as she fought to breathe through the crushing weight of her failure.

Kwon stood at the edge of the hallway, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Sasha slouched against the wall, her knees pulled up to her chest. The weight of the competition still lingered in the air, the roar of the crowd faint in the background as if the noise had no power here. It was as if the whole world had paused, just for a moment, and Kwon couldn't help but feel drawn to her, even though he knew better. His lips twitched into that familiar cocky grin as he made his way toward her, his footsteps deliberate, calculated, as though he was in control of every situation-like always.

"Sasha," he called out, his voice smooth and easy, the same casual tone he used in Cobra Kai. There was no softness in his words, no indication that he'd just witnessed her get eliminated. If anything, his presence seemed to carry the same sharp edge as the fight had moments before. "You look like someone kicked your dog. What's up?"

Sasha didn't even look up at him, her posture rigid, and for a split second, Kwon wondered if she was going to snap at him. But instead, she let out a frustrated sigh, barely looking in his direction.

"I'm fine," she muttered, her voice low, but there was an unmistakable tension in her tone. "Just... trying to breathe."

Kwon raised an eyebrow, leaning against the wall beside her with an air of indifference, his arms crossing casually over his chest. "Breathe? After that? Pretty sure you need more than a few breaths." He shot her a sideways glance, the cocky smirk never leaving his face. "You're not exactly the type to go down so easily. What happened?"

Sasha clenched her jaw, her fists tightening in her lap as the frustration bubbled up again. She finally turned her head to him, her eyes blazing with that fiery anger she hadn't let go of since the fight. "You want to know what happened?" she snapped, her voice rising with every word. "My sister happened."

Kwon's smirk faltered just slightly, though he quickly masked it. "Your sister?" he repeated, clearly amused. "What's that got to do with the fight?" He didn't sound concerned-more like he found it interesting, like it was some drama he could poke at for his own amusement. "Did she give you a pep talk before you went out there? Or maybe... sabotage your focus?"

Sasha's eyes narrowed as she gave him a glare that could've cut through steel. "You have no idea," she muttered bitterly. "She's always been like this-always acting like she knows what's best for me. And now?" She scoffed, her chest tightening with frustration. "She's on my case because you're from Cobra Kai. Like I'm supposed to hate you or something."

Kwon's lips curled into an even more self-assured smirk. "You don't have to hate me," he said, his voice smooth but laced with that underlying arrogance that was all too familiar. "But you do have to respect me." He paused, his gaze flickering to the floor for a second, as though calculating his next move. "It's the rules, you know. Or are you telling me you're gonna break the rules just to please your sister?"

Sasha's fists tightened at her sides, but she didn't answer right away. Instead, she stared at him, her eyes searching, though for what she wasn't sure. "You think it's about the rules? It's not. It's about her control. She's always treated me like I'm not capable of making my own choices. Like I'm just a kid she has to babysit," she spat, her words growing more venomous as the anger built inside her. "She treats me like I can't think for myself, and now... now, it's like I can't even talk to someone from the other team without her getting all overprotective and accusing me of betraying her."

Kwon watched her closely, his cocky smirk fading into a more neutral expression. "Sounds like you're pissed at your sister, not me," he said, raising an eyebrow. "So why don't you just tell her that instead of running off to sulk?"

Sasha's eyes flashed, and she stood up quickly, pacing a few steps before turning to face him. "I don't need to tell her anything. She should just get it through her head that I'm not some helpless little sister who needs to be saved all the time. I'm not dumb, and I'm not weak. I don't need to be shielded from everything, but that's all she does."

Kwon leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, still watching her with that calculating, almost disinterested look that made it clear he wasn't the type to offer much in the way of comfort. "I don't know what you want me to say, Sasha. I'm not gonna play therapist and fix your sisterly drama." He tilted his head, his gaze shifting to the ceiling for a moment before his eyes flicked back to her. "But hey, if you're not into the whole 'team' thing with your sister, you don't have to be."

Sasha's eyes narrowed, and she shook her head, her fists clenched so tight her knuckles were white. "I didn't ask for your opinion on that, Kwon." She spat his name out as if it were an insult. "And you sure as hell don't get to act like you're some kind of counselor, just because you think you know everything."

Kwon raised both eyebrows, the smirk creeping back onto his face, his eyes glinting with that cocky gleam that always seemed to infuriate people. "I don't need to be a counselor, sweetheart. I just call it like I see it." He let out a breath and pushed himself off the wall, straightening up. "You're not the only one dealing with your little family drama, but at least you didn't get taken out in the first five minutes." He gave her a sideways glance, still cocky but with just a touch of sincerity, his tone less teasing this time. "But hey, you'll get 'em next time, right?"

Sasha glared at him, her anger not yet spent but her body too tired to keep up the fight. She opened her mouth to retort, but the words stuck in her throat. Kwon wasn't even trying to be affectionate, and it pissed her off even more. He didn't even care that she was upset. All he cared about was winning, and the arrogance in that made her blood boil.

"Whatever," she muttered, turning away from him as if he were the last person she wanted to deal with right now. "Just go away, Kwon."

He didn't respond right away, standing in the hallway with his usual cocky stance as she walked toward the exit. The tension in the air was palpable, but Kwon knew better than to chase her down. He'd said his piece, and now it was up to her to figure out whatever mess her sister had created. He wasn't here to clean it up.

With a final glance in her direction, Kwon smirked once more, watching as Sasha disappeared into the distance. He didn't care if she was mad. She'd get over it. She probably always did.

And as for him? Well, it wasn't his problem. At least he thought so for now.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

THE ANGSTTT

sasha and sam don't have a good relationship sadly. but its better than my other larusso oc (bad idea right)

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)