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warnings: violence!
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CLEARING her throat Cameron answered her therapist, "I've just accepted he left."

Dr Curtis stared at her, "But during a moment you needed him most?"

"Does it matter, we're back together. I love him and he loves me." Cameron flung out her hands as she reasoned.

"So you don't feel upset anymore?"

Cameron defended with a furrowed brow, "He apologised."

"You didn't answer my question," Dr Curtis shook her head.

Cameron reluctantly spoke, "I was pissed when he left,"

She didn't understand why she was rehashing this. It was a dead issue, it had been buried along with Silver's arrest and Kreese's alleged escape from prison.

"You were hurt when he broke up with you and when he left during Christmas, correct?"

Cameron frowned, "Old feelings."

"They can resurface especially when they are not handled correctly." Dr Curtis explained. "I cannot tell you what to do, but these feelings should be addressed. As is the resentment you're harbouring toward your old friend Tory."

Cameron rolled her eyes at the mention of the girl, "It's not resentment."

"But you two haven't made up, why?" The therapist pressed on.

"We're civil — and yes I know I didn't answer your question."

Cameron regretted coming to her session, partly because she thought she had better things to do and partly because she knew her therapist was right.

Fuck.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

IT did feel good to back at school. It was Cameron's final year. Her senior year before college and everything for the most part felt calm. Cobra Kai was out of the picture, the air felt lighter and sun shone brighter. Robby had finally been enrolled for senior year and everything was actually perfect. Well as perfect as things could be in the Valley.

Miguel kissed her cheek as they went their separate ways, finding their friends before first period started.

"Cameron," she heard Sam call out to her whilst she packed her locker. Cameron turned to her with a smile, "please tell me you brought a charger." Cameron pulled a portable charger out her bag for her, "you're a life saver, 'Nala doesn't have the same phone as me and mine is almost dead."

"How? You only just arrived on campus?" Cameron couldn't help but laugh. Lily, Moon and Yasmine approached them. "Hey guys."

Sam explained, "I was on facetime all night."

Lily feigned shock, "Showing off the goods to a certain lesbian lover?"

"Lil," Cameron playfully warned, whilst adjusting her glasses.

Sam rolled her eyes, "We were talking."

"Pillow talking?" Yasmine accused.

Moon swooned, "How sweet."

Anala suddenly appeared them, having heard some of their conversation, "What's sweet?"

"You and Sam up all night," Cameron marvelled.

"Talking," Sam and Anala defended in unsion.

The other girls were stunned when the new couple shared a chaste kiss.

"Okay... maybe more than that," Anala blurted, causing a red tint to grow on her girlfriend's face. "Sorry."

Sam assured her, "It's okay."

The bell rung through the halls.

Cameron said excitedly, "First class of senior year."

Lily grinned, "Let's make it memorable."

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EAGLE Fang was demolished, not the dojo... well the actual building where they trained. Johnny took it hard, but they were willing to all make the most of it. Afterall, Miyagi-do had been where they practiced most of the time. It would be an adjustment but they were all in the best spirits. Even more so when they easily accepted penis breath... Mitch back into the fold with open arms.

"I'm not saying it's easy, but I have my Sai's, and you have your staff," Cameron said when she stretched next to Sam. "We still need to practice more."

Sam nodded, "I agree, but the weaponry might be easier with more kata."

"Makes sense, the movements will be more fluid –"

"-- But also precise," Sam smiled.

Cameron chuckled, "It's weird how much we hated each other before."

"Even weirder than your ex mentee and friend are in the dojo training with us this time?" Sam nodded where Devon who sparred alongside Bert and Nathaniel and then Tory, who was boxing a punching bag. "That weird?"

"Ain't it weird and harder for you? You know, with the Tory of all things," Cameron deflected, not wanting to think too much about it.

Sam breathed out, "She, alongside you used to be the enemy." She paused when they moved together, showcasing some defence. "And now you and I are friends, and me and her... are cordial. I guess, it's a big adjustment. A huge one, but my therapist said change can be good, even though in last two years change has never been the best. Like at all."

Cameron hummed in agreement, "I hear that, but I'm trying to be more hopeful, more positive. My therapist said, I need to address my feelings more, even though for now, I think I should avoid confrontation."

"You, avoid confrontation?" Sam snorted.

"Shut up Samanatha."

The girls caught the attention of Robby and Miguel who stood at the entrance, taking in all the changes.

"Look, it took a while for you and me to figure our shit out, but... we got there." Robby reasoned, looking between his girlfriend and the two girls who called his friend. "Sam and Tory only recently stopped hating each other. Hopefully, they'll be friends someday. Cameron also, I mean she and Tory used to be close, they can be that way again," he turned to Miguel who stared at him pensively, "Maybe we just need to do something to jumpstart it."

"Yeah, well I would like to keep my girlfriend by the end of all that," Miguel replied, Robby laughed thinking it was a joke.

Miguel was so fucking serious.

With the all three Sensei's outside, Eli and Demetri had something to present to not just them, but their teammates also. Their presentation was on the sparring deck and between them was a concealed canvas. Everyone else gathered around.

"It's been a long road, but we're finally all on the same side. And as a reward? The toughest test any of us have ever had to face." Eli stated.

Demetri continued, "The Sekai Taikai is the most prestigious karate tournament in modern martial arts history. For over a century, fighters from across the globe have gathered every two years to compete for the title of World's Best."

"If the All Valley is March Madness, this is the Olympics, plus the gladiator games and the kumite from Bloodsport all rolled into one." passion clung to Eli's tone.

Johnny quietly nodded in agreement, "Yeah."

Demetri started, "If we win..." Eli cleared his throat, "Excuse me. When we win, the spoils will be life-changing."

Cameron's face lit up, drawing a longing smile from her boyfriend.

"But it's gonna take all of our focus and all the wisdom our Senseis have to offer," Eli said promisingly, staring at them.

"Yes, which is why we decided to take at least one thing off your plates. Coming up with our new dojo name."

"Yes!" Eli exclaimed, "After some spirited brainstorming and ad hoc focus-grouping, and also a dojo-wide vote, we have a winner." everyone glanced around in anticipation, "We give you... he and Demetri pulled back the sheet, revealing, "Miyagi Fang Karate!" he and Demetri yelled unison.

Cheering and applause followed at the logo of Mr. Miyagi with fangs, surrounded by a fiery title beneath him.

Cameron stared in disbelief, "the man has fangs."

The Senseis all returned inside shortly after.

"Hey Roni," Miguel caught her arm afterwards, "I was wondering if you wanna go to Golf 'N' Stuff later."

"Date night isn't until tomorrow," she replied, slightly confused but was happy by the suggestion.

"All the more reason for this evening," Miguel rushed out, eyes darting over to where Robby stood talking to Tory. Before Cameron could follow his gaze, he turned back to her, "And um... Anala and Sam wanted to come."

"Oh, a double date?" her face beamed, making him feel slightly guilty. "We never do double dates. Why don't we make it a triple, Lily will kill me if I don't invite her and Eli."

"They're busy tonight," Miguel quickly dismissed, "So tonight? I'll splurge on anything you want?"

"I was expecting that," Cameron replied with a shrug. "But yeah, tonight. Mom is out with the group and –"

Miguel cut her off, "Cool, oh and I have a surprise."

Cameron titled her head, "What is it?"

"That's the whole point of a surprise."

Cameron frowned, "Okay... but I hate surprises."

Miguel knew she would despise this one.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"LOVELY surprise," Cameron mumbled under her breath for the 10th time this evening. Sam and Anala weren't the only ones here, Robby and Tory were also. "God, I hate boys."

Sam hung back with Cameron, Anala seemed to be getting on with a reserved Tory, whilst the boys tried to compete with each other on whatever game they found.

"Take your own advice and stop dating them," Sam retorted, arms folded whilst they watched Robby try the boxing machine.

"I would, but I love this idiot," Cameron rolled her eyes.

Miguel looked amused, watching Robby's score before a bell rang.

"It's all in the legs." Robby shrugged off.

"Yeah, well, congrats on your rather average leg strength, sir." Miguel teased.

"All right, who's next?" Robby turned to the girls.

"I'm good." Tory quickly declined.

Sam nodded, "Me too."

"I'm on my period," Anala said with a raised hand.

The boys stared at her in confusion.

"You can only use that excuse in gym class," Cameron retorted, watching her lower her hand. "I'll give it a try," she said with an eye roll. She took Robby's place, "all in the legs, right?"

Anala added, "And use all the anger you have towards your boyfriend."

"That too," Sam agreed, sharing a smile with her.

"How much anger do you think –" Robby's whisper was cut off when Cameron's punch shook the machine more than his and revealed a bigger score. "Never mind." he nudged Miguel, "Sorry my friend."

Cameron raised a brow at the score, "that felt good."

Eyes widening and slightly anxious, Miguel suggested, "Okay. What about the, uh, batting cages? I heard there's a new fastpitch..." his eyes trailed over to Cameron, "and no boxing machines."

She sent him a pointed look.

Begrudgingly, Sam gave in, "Sure."

Anala's hand slipped into hers as they went.

Tory deadpanned, "Sounds fun."

She stalked off with her boyfriend in tow.

"For some reason, I don't think it sounds fun." Miguel tried to joke as he walked alongside his girlfriend who remained quiet. "Look, you cannot get too mad at me, you tried this with me and Robby."

"And I said I was sorry," Cameron whined. "We're on a triple date. Triple as in three. Robby is Sam's ex, and Tory and Sam are both Drew's Exes. Anala is here for moral support and to make out with her girlfriend wherever and whenever. Sam, Tory and I collectively shouldn't be in the same space for too long. We all used to loathe each other. my ex-best friend and my new friend...who both kinda don't like each other. Nemesis'..."

"I think it's Nemsisi," a smile tugged on his lips only for it to falter when she huffed. "Look, I didn't think she was your enemy anymore. I just thought now we're all on the same side it'll be easier."

"I don't know what we are, but... we're not triple-daters. And I'm not avoiding her."

"You are," Miguel argued.

"It's self-preservation."

The excuse made him chuckle slightly because he recalled the first time she said it when Johnny made her and Aisha try out for Karate. A warm feeling cast over him. Although he knew Cobra Kai was tainted, some of the memories weren't.

"Stop smiling," Cameron scoffed, "you're so getting me fries after this."

"Whatever you want. I know this is hard for you."

"Harder on Sam," Cameron's defence of the girl never ceased to stun Miguel. "We'll just need to get along, for now."

That was the best she could do and Miguel didn't press it.

All the couples came to a halt when Robby halted in his stride, eyes pinned to Kenny who played a basketball game. The boy seemed to have grown quite a bit since they all saw him last – he was defeated and hurt by Silver's betrayal – although they caught glimpses of him at school, he kept to himself.

"He's still not talking to you?" Tory asked her boyfriend.

"No." Robby answered, "I've gotta give it another shot. He needs to know there's another way besides the shit Silver was feeding him. At least here, he can't send my call to voicemail." he sighed, "I'm gonna be right back."

He left them all with varying thoughts.

"So... food?" Miguel suggested and the girls couldn't reject him.

There was plenty of fries for Cameron to stuff her face, she was kind enough to spare Miguel a few some. Anala and Sam shared some ice cream, whilst Tory sat their looking bored out of her mind.

The latter occasionally glimpsed at her ex best friend, only to look away when she turned to her briefly.

"Awkward tension," Anala commented, drawing a laugh from Miguel who did his best to start up conversation.

"So, I mean, it's our senior year, right?" he said, lightly looking around the table. "College right around the corner. Kinda crazy."

He nudged his girlfriend, but wasn't budging.

Sam took it as a sign to jump in, "Yeah, I mean, it does feel just like yesterday that we were dissecting fetal pigs, and now we're planning our futures between training every day."

She seemed to miss the distance look on Tory's face, but Cameron caught it.

"There are just so many good schools to choose from." Sam stammered, "I... I'm just a little overwhelmed if I'm being honest. It'll be easier once you've heard back from Stanford right?"

"Fingers crossed." Miguel made the motion, drawing a smile from his girlfriend. He turned to her, "So Miss Howard University, looking forward to early admissions."

"If I get accepted." Cameron didn't want to be negative only realistic.

Miguel frowned as he corrected, "You mean when."

Anala pushed, "Be positive Cameron,"

Cameron cast her sarcastic smile.

Tory knew Howard was where Drew was. Washington DC... so far away.

Sensing some inner torment, Miguel turned to her, "What about you, Tory?"

She drawled, "It's kinda hard to get in anywhere when you spent almost a year on probation."

"Right." Miguel averted his eyes, "Um..."

"There's a community college," Cameron shocked herself by suggesting. "Plenty of them," Tory's gaze flickered towards her. "Good ones in the area. If you wanted to go."

To move past the topic, Tory simply hummed in response.

"My parents are making me apply to Brown, thank you for asking Miguel," Anala remarked. The boy sputtered out apologies but she waved him off. "But most of my safety schools are in the area."

"Safety schools?" Miguel hadn't given them much thought, he then turned to his girlfriend.

Cameron replied, "Most HBCUs with great psychology programmes are spread around the country. Howard, North Carolina and LA Pacific University."

Sam pointed out, "And Tulane, Delaware and Spellman."

"Those as well," Cameron nodded.

They were hours from Stanford, Miguel couldn't help but think. He knew how much time his girlfriend put into her applications, using her art class to add to it also, knowing colleges don't want just a statement but portfolios. She was dedicated, even more than him he thought.

Silence fell across the table, food was eaten and they all seemed bored out of their minds until they wondered where Robby had got to. Tory was the first to get up to locate her boyfriend who watched Kenny walk away with a taller older guy who bore a similar resemblance.

They strolled up to him, Miguel asked, "You know that guy?"

"It's Kenny's brother. Met in juvie," Robby informed them as he turned around. "He told me to leave Kenny alone.

Tory questioned, "You're not gonna listen to him, right?"

"Do whatever you need to do. We'll have your back," Sam added.

"Yeah, we do," Cameron said, putting aside self-preservation.

The karate girls seem to nod in agreement.

"Well, I won't because I know karate."

They all turned to Anala who winced at her confession.

Robby huffed out a laugh, "Thanks, anala."

"You're welcome."

"Okay. We're there for you, man." Miguel stated.

Robby was relentless in his attempts to help Kenny, but his brother Shawn stood in the way, he was bigger and bulkier and was determined to protect his family. So in the batting cages where they stood, Shawn shoved Robby, leading to another fight, only Robby didn't strike first.

Seeing Robby on the ground, Miguel slid in, swiping Shawn's feet and sending him tumbling to the ground.

Miguel turned to Kenny, "You heard. We don't wanna fight." but that didn't Kenny didn't want to.

He swung at Miguel who dodged his punches and attacks as well as an oncoming baseball, that he punched away. All these attacks lead to Kenny on the ground near a baseball bat.

Going to reach for it, Cameron stomped her foot down, amazed where his mind went.

"Really, a bat?" Cameron tutted.

Rising to his feet, Kenny warned, "Out of my way, James. I don't wanna hit a girl."

"That's sweet" Sam strolled over, joining Cameron, "But don't worry. You won't."

"Won't even a land a punch," Tory said, joining them.

Kenny quickly moved, Sam grabbed his arm, sending him away as Shawn fought robby. Somehow Robby made Shawn's arm get stuck in the fence, feeling humiliated, Shawn didn't stop.

And neither did his brother, who ignored the encouragement from the girls and they began to fight. Kenny blocked them out, enraged by all that happened. He needed to let out his anger, and at this point he didn't care on who. Cameron craned her neck quickly, dodging a punch thrown her way and struck out her leg, hitting his side. Tory was next beside Sam, they were on defence resulting in him being on the ground once more.

Only this time when he got up, Shawn stopped him from advancing.

"That's it, little bro. Let's go."

Kenny angrily shook his head, "What? No, no, I'm not going anywhere."

"Yes, you are." Shawn's tone left no room for arguments. "Security's coming," he pointed out after hearing a walky-talky. "We're done."

Watching the brothers rush out of the batting cage, a pregnant sigh Robby let out and turned around.

"Well, that could have gone better." he expressed.

Miguel joked, "Could have gone worse."

"Like a bat to your skull," Cameron retorted.

"My lady defended me," he poked her side, amusing her.

Sam slowly looked to Tory, "You picked up Miyagi-Do pretty fast."

"Yeah, well, I fought you enough." Tory mused, stifling a smile, "I guess some of it must have rubbed off."

A breathy laugh escaped sam.

"Yeah, about time," Cameron playfully rolled her eyes.

The three seemed slightly more open and that was all the boys wished for.

"Are you guys done?" A voice called from the other side of the batting cage. Anala's voice. They smiled at the sight of her, "Sammy you know I have to do my hair mask at 7."

"A hair mask?" the boys asked in unison.

The girls all scoffed at the question.

"No, seriously what's a hair mask?" Robby needed to know.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"MOM?" Cameron called out after shutting the door behind her and removing her shoes. "You'll be happy to hear there was no fights... well big ones anyway." she dropped her keys in the bowl, brows furrowing when she heard the sound of laughter in the living room. "Mom?"

"Oh Cami," Alexis bounced off of the couch when she noticed her daughter. She had company, more than one friend was in their home. "You know Evan..." Evan happily waved at her daughter but Cameron's gaze was pulled to the other man on the adjoining couch. He looked slightly younger than Alexis, with darker skin and a crooked smile. His body was bulky and had a low fade. "This is Felix King."

"Hello," Cameron greeted, eyes darted between the three then settled back on Felix.

Felix waved, "Hi Cameron, your mom has told me so much about you."

"That's funny, I don't know anything about you," Cameron squinted her eyes, ignoring her mom's pointed look. "You a new friend?"

He glanced between the other adults and then answered, "I would say that yes."

"You a widower like Evan?"

Alexis warned, "Cameron."

Evan wasn't phased by it, he was used to Cameron's randomness.

Cameron innocently shrugged, "Just a question."

Felix replied, "Ah, no, I've never been married."

"Not yet," Evan joked, but one look from Cameron had him reaching for his drink.

Cameron pressed, "You seem a little young. What are you 35?"

"42," Felix smiled at the assumption.

"My mom's older."

Alexis gasped, "Cameron Nia James."

Felix was quick to respond, "She also doesn't like a day over 30."

"I agree," Evan added, although he was ignored.

Seconds flew by before Cameron hummed believing that was a good response, although she wouldn't say.

"I'm gonna go change into my jogging clothes, have to train and all. You know I do karate?" she made sure everyone knew she was talking to Felix.

"All valley Quarterfinalist then runner-up," she was briefly surprised by his knowledge. "Your mom has told us all about it. Hopefully this year, you'll get the gold."

"Agreed," Cameron forced a smile, then turned to her mother who was shaking her head, "Love you."

"Love you too," she watched as Cameron walked towards her in the hallway, "that child."

Felix concluded, "She's lovely."

Alexis snorted.

Evan suggested, holding up the bottle, "More wine Lex?"

"Thought you never ask," she murmured.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"I am telling you looks like a football player, but with the looks of a model," Cameron informed Sam, whilst they stretched in Miyagi-do.

Sam deduced, "So a football player. I guess have to see this guy."

"What guy?" Tory joined them, feeling more comfortable in doing so after yesterday.

Cameron told her, "Mom might be dating but she won't admit it. Felix King, he's a social worker."

"If he's an asshole, you could beat his ass."

Cameron snickered, "Exactly."

"Now let's start," Sam said.

They all exchanged nods and then Sam directed them. It felt easier to settle in the dojo, and it was even better. The bad blood had been squashed but not completely they've only begun to peel back the surface of most of their issues and problems. But they would get there.

Hopefully .

And with new gi's and a new logo, and even a new student in Kenny Payne, Miyagi-do would soon be ready for more than just the valley, but the rest of the world.

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a/n:

cameron isn't over everything that happened between her and tory, not in the slightest. the same goes for sam and cameron and sam and tory. but it's their final year, they have the sekai taikai, and so many more things going on it's a lot to keep up the hatred they all once shared. but with avoidance and dismissing feelings it will eventually boil over.

so how does everyone feel now that the show is over and this book will be too?