[Earlier in the day, rain had swept through the ever-growing city of Toronto in torrents, causing sewers to bubble up with overflowing water, much like a baby who can't handle all of it's food. Now the only evidence was faint drops remainging on window sills, and some light dampness on the ground making the pavement darker in different regions. A black buick sedan drove by splashing water from a puddle up onto some people walking nearby, they frowned in utter disgust, holding their arms up high in the air in a pathetic attempt at keeping the wet clothes from their body. Deciding it would be wiser to be meek, and turn the other cheek like most common-folk do.]
[The sedan kept a steady pace along the suburban street. It was in that kind of district where any and every respectable family resides in to raise well-bred children. In it you'd find mostly blue-collared working slobs, all living in lovely red-brick houses, even with the picket fence. You might find a corner store where kids could hang out and buy gum, baseball cards, or haggle with grown-ups to pick them up either cigarettes or a copy of Playboy or Hustler. Nightly, you'd see street lamps similar to what you might find in Victorian England, all lit up along the opposing sides of the road, illuminating the path for many a jogger and people out to give their dogs some needed excercise.]
[Marcus Gaines looked out the passenger side window of the sedan dreamily at the rows upon rows of houses, laying testament to whatever is good left in the world. He smiled fondly as he let his gaze soar up to the heavens at the beautiful fading azure sky, giving way to a purplish haze. His eyes seemed to glaze over as he imagined the last time he had been in this area, how much younger he had been then; Maybe eight or nine. He had once lived in this exact neighbourhood. The images floating quietly past the luxury car seemed almost like items he had found in a time capsule, bringing back all those memories, some he had pushed away into his subconcious, others were right at the forefront of his waking mind.]
[This neighbourhood proved to be much more ideal then Marcus' parents had thought all those years ago, it was so close to everything they could want, a school nearby, the previously mentioned convenience store, and what proved to be more convenient, a karate dojo. Of course, when I say karate dojo, I'm merely using an example, the teacher there was a master in so many martial arts it always proved exceedingly hard to count. His name was Tetsuo Kagutagaki, he was born out of wedlock during World War two, to a woman of asian descent, and only given life by a soldier with the twenty-first platoon of the United States military. He never met his father. Though the child took on his father's physical characteristics, it was his mother that gave him all his upbringing, afterall, his father was only in it for one night, his mother was in it for the long haul. Given where he was raised, Tetsuo was around martial arts most of his life, and after his mother married a Japanese martial arts expert, his destiny seemed set.]
[Now that all the man's background is behind us, lets venture forward. Marcus had hoped coming here would prove fruitful. He didn't want to feel so rusty when he used martial arts in the ring as he had thus far in his wrestling career. Marcus wasn't sure if Tetsuo Sensei still lived in this neighbourhood, or even if the man remained alive. It had been about two years since his last lesson, and at that time, the man was showing some frailties. Marcus wasn't a fan of the elderly so to speak, he was merely appreciative when they got out of his way, but Tetsuo was his only mentor, and had earned a bond with young Marcus from day one.]
[As the driver turned a corner onto another side street, a familiar sign, scrolled out in Chinese handwriting appeared hanging off the front pillar of a building. The school was definately open. Was Tetsuo Sensei still there? Doubt crept into Marcus' belly as the sedan slowed, and finally stopped right in front of the building. It was more or less a house, renovated to fit a dojo into it, so that it didn't make the rest of the neighbourhood look tacky. If anything it accented every house on the block, and Marcus let out a sigh as he exited the car and stood in front of his former dojo. He smiled, and walked up the front steps, and opened the dual swing doors the kind you'd see in any old style saloon except these went all the way to the floor, and ceiling.]
[As he entered, he saw the man sitting cross legged on a fine light blue checkered persian rug. He opened his eyes immediately, despite the fact Marcus hadn't made a sound when entering. Marcus smiled at the man he had come to know as Sensei, looking only as old as maybe a forty or fifty year old. Tetsuo, smiled lightly, as all honourable men seem to, and rose to greet Marcus. As is customary, the two bowed.]
Tetsuo-Sensei: Marcus, it has been quite a while.
[No matter if he was ever excited, angry, disturbed, Tetsuo-Sensei always spoke in that David Caradean (from Kung Fu The Legend Continues) type of speaking, the pause-before-each-word technique.]
Gaines: Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. Things had gotten out of hand. But I'm back in control of things.
[Tetsuo moved and put his hand on Marcus' shoulder and made him lurch forward, bringing him to a walk along side the man.]
Tetsuo-Sensei: Good. I'm relieved to hear that.
[Tetsuo led Marcus over to a table where they sat down on cushions, the table had a few bowls, each contained some such food. Tetsuo picked up the bowl nearest him and began to eat with some chop sticks. Marcus sat staring blankly at the food in the bowl. He wasn't much of a fan for this type of food, and so he turned his attention towards Tetsuo, who seemed thorouhly engrossed in his bowl. Marcus again stared blankly for a few moments. Tetsuo took no heed of him, as if the only thing that existed in this universe were himself and that bowl he ate so vigorously from.]
Gaines: [Looking thoroughly impressed with Sensei's concentration.] Wow.
Tetsuo-Sensei: [Putting the bowl down, but keeping his vision trained on the wall in front of him, never glancing at Marcus.] Marcus, what is you're reason for returning on this day?
Gaines: Well, if you haven't known. I'm involved in proffessional wrestling now an-
[Tetsuo shoots Marcus a quick glance.]
Tetsuo-Sensei: In which you use the skills I have taught you?
Gaines: Well, yeah. When necessary.
Tetsuo-Sensei: That is unacceptable. But I have no right in stopping you from achieving you're goals as you see fit.
[Marcus nodded shamefully almost hanging his head.]
Gaines: Ok.
Tetsuo-Sensei: And I am to assume you're here either to brush up you're skills, or to ask me to take you're place.
[Marcus smirked, he wasn't sure if that was a joke, or if Tetsuo-Sensei was in actuality being realistic in his mindset.]
Gaines: Well yes, I was hoping you could either spar with me for awhile, help me brush up a little on my technique. Things like that.
[Tetsuo let out a small guffaw at something that was unknown to Marcus.]
Tetsuo-Sensei: Okay, Marcus. You and I shall spar.
[Marcus was half-heartedly joking when he mentioned sparring with the old man, afterall, he had to be at least fifty or sixty now, and he only stood about five-foot-five at best. But this might be a good experience either way. Marcus rose to his feet and walked to the center of the large room, which, had this been a regular house, would have been a living room. No furniture remained other than the table they sat at now. Tetsuo-Sensei also got up and stood facing Marcus. Marcus formed himself into a standard karate stance as Tetsuo merely stood there awaiting him.]
Tetsuo-Sensei: Begin.
[Marcus couldn't help but think of the Matrix all of a sudden.]
*Marcus swung a quick punch directly at Tetsuo's head which he quickly dodged.*
Tetsuo-Sensei: Always eager to fight aren't you, boy?
*Marcus swung a shallow kick then spun and tried a swallow dive kick. Tetsuo dodged each.*
Gaines: You know it.
*Marcus performed a roundhouse, missing Tetsuo completely as he dodged out of the way.*
Tetsuo-Sensei: And what has made you come here to train? An opponent perhaps?
*Marcus shifted trying a fence punch, then shifted again to a crescent kick, Tetsuo-Sensei again dodged each.*
Gaines: [Getting mildly annoyed at Tetsuo's evasiveness.] I'm going into a fight against two men, with a man I don't trust as my partner. I want to be on top of my game.
*Marcus slipped to a crouch and swung his foot to try and trip Tetsuo, who merely hopped over it.*
Tetsuo-Sensei: And you think that being on top of you're game means being able to do some fancy kicks and punches?
*Marcus went to grab and throw Tetsuo by the hip but Tetsuo grabbed his hands and pushed him aside.*
Gaines: [Getting frustrated.] Spare me the know-it all routine. Jimmy Jackson and Johnny Viscous might require me to work up a sweat. I want a taste of a championship for once.
*Marcus extended his elbow and tried to knock Tetsuo off-balance, but he merely ducked under the blow.*
Tetsuo-Sensei: You're to full in the head, Marcus. You think these men have no possibility of defeating you or you're untrustworthy partner?
*Marcus slid forward attempting to knock Tetsuo over, but again, as usual Tetsuo dodged it and pushed Marcus aside.*
Gaines: [Clenching his teeth as his anger begins to rise.] I wouldn't say I'm full in the head when I know I can beat these guys. And Carpenter got lucky on Wednesday night when I went to hurt him. If he so much as thinks of double-crossing me, he's on the trip into the audience from the ring.
*Marcus swung his fist forcefully at Tetsuo's jaw, but only caught air.*
Tetsuo-Sensei: You harbor such ill feelings towards a man you don't even know? You'd be wiser to trust the man. You cannot take on two men alone.
*Marcus swings another punch as Tetsuo again dodges.*
Gaines: [Clenching his teeth tighter.] Not at the same time, no. But I can when it's one man of the team at a time. Neither men have absolutely no clue where they are in the ring. They'd need a map just to get out of their corner. Talk about weak-a##ed wrestlers, look at Jimmy Jackson and Johnny Viscous. One guy is a football coach, and the other is a slippery little oil slick.
*Marcus lunged at Tetsuo with an elbow attack which Tetsuo merely moves back and away from.*
Tetsuo-Sensei: You'd stoop so low as to mock a man, merely for his name?
*Marcus swung a fast kick towards Tetsuo, who dodges again.*
Gaines: [His voice is getting louder as he gets more and more frustrated.] Why not? They made fun of my name. Probably. And I don't find them very menacing. It's like looking at the pilsbury doughboy times two. I wonder if I should account for the possibility of them not even making it the ring due to to many pokes to their chubby bellies.
*Marcus lunges again but misses.*
Tetsuo-Sensei: You seem to be getting agravated, boy. Why are you so eager to hit me before you can even get me to stand still?
[They both stop as Marcus stays panting.]
Gaines: Beacause... [Inhale] I don't like... [Exhale] Standing still.
[Tetsuo looks interested as his left eyebrow raises slightly showing that intrigue.]
Tetsuo-Sensei: Explain, Marcus.
Gaines: Because if I don't, I feel like I'm going to spontaneously combust.
Tetsuo-Sensei: I see.
[Tetsuo inhales sharply and breathes out a sigh. Its hard to say whether the sigh is from frustration, or relief.]
Tetsuo-Sensei: So you feel like a burning man?
[Marcus only nods.]
Tetsuo-Sensei: Ahhh, the Burning Man. I know of him well. Always setting fire to those around him with reckless regard. Not the life to lead, Marcus. Not everyday is you're last, somedays are you're first.
Gaines: [Sighs.] Oh great, now I'm going to be thinking about that all day.
[Surprisingly, Tetsuo strikes Marcus across the face with a sharp slap. Marcus looks at him bewildered, holding the place he had been hit. Tetsuo's face suddenly changed from being almost serene, to a crinkled up animal face, as if he were now consumed by rage and disgust, Marcus was used to this face, and it sickened him to see it upon the face of this respectable man.]
Tetsuo-Sensei: Don't joke, boy. You've been doing that since you first came here eight years ago. Difference is now you're old enough to be hit. You are the ruiner, Marcus; The Burning Man. Even those you supposedly love will be hurt by you. Beware of that now. You only remember those things that you wish to, there is always a choice in the matter, boy. [He fiercely slaps Marcus across the forehead with his palm.] Think hard about those you've burnt. [Pauses and stares at Marcus holding his hand lightly against hsi face where Tetsuo hit him. looking more incredulous at the audacity of the man than anything else.] And while thinking about those you love. Think about you're enemies, Marcus, those you face whenever it is. Don't THINK you can beat them. KNOW it.
Gaines: Yeah, I know, mind over matter, confidence. Got it.
[Tetsuo slaps Marcus upside his head again causing Marcus to clench his teeth even tighter than they were previously.]
Tetsuo-Sensei: No, boy! You don't "got it". You're not supposed to THINK you're good. you're supposed to KNOW you can't lose as long as you're who you are.
[As Marcus began to look down to the ground to get away from whatever this man was saying, Tetsuo brought his hand up to Marcus' chin and angled it sharply back at him.]
Tetsuo-Sensei: Do you not remember why you left my dojo? Why you haven't come back here in two years or more?
[Marcus shook his head angrily, but much like a child.]
Tetsuo-Sensei: I sent you away from here, Marcus. I knew who and WHAT you were. You hurt another student. And you hurt him badly. I can't get rid of you, boy. When I saw you in front of me, I had hoped you had changed, but sparring with you told me you hadn't. And I now realize you can't change. I want you out of my dojo now.
[Marcus looked at Tetsuo with almost vicious, animal-like eyes, life-less, staring into the eyes of this old man.]
Tetsuo-Sensei: [Smacks Marcus' head again.] Go!
[Tetsuo looked into Marcus' eyes, but if he were able to say what he saw, he probably wouldn't be completely sure what it was. But he would be sure it was vicious, like looking into the devil's eyes and getting lost.]
Gaines: [His voice is darker, more menacing, as if it has been contorted into something not his own.] Don't hit me again, old man.
[With a quick jerk of his head Marcus' forehead makes contact with the ridge of Tetsuo's nose. The old man let out a slight moan in anguish, and in surprise in the hit. Marcus stood, taking in the scene, then tripped Tetsuo over and lay a quick, but brutal fist thrust into the mans nose. I'm not a doctor, but I know this wasn't good for an old man. Marcus stood over the fallen man, with an expressionless face. He felt neither cold nor warm. More or less indifferent. But a surge had gone through him once his palm had made contact with old man's skull. To him it was a familiar scene. To you the reader, it is harsh brutality personified. Marcus turned around as the blood crept awkwardly down the side of Tetsuo's face, and exited the dojo. He stepped into the car, and signalled the driver to go, and they pulled away steadily.]
[Marcus hadn't any intention of doing what he had just done. But it was uncontrollable urges like that that made him into what he was. He smirked out the window maliciously as they turned onto the main road from the little suburb. Bring it on Viscous and Jackson, he thought. Tetsuo had said some things that sounded strange, what was it he had called Marcus? The Burning Man? It was true, Marcus often felt like he was about to explode into flames, but he never felt like he was constantly on fire, or anything like that. It didn't make much sense, much like most superstition. But with that event behind him, Marcus suddenly felt stronger, as if he'd just lifted weights for 24 hours. It didn't matter if Carpenter decided he wanted to play tag-partner until it came time for him to switch sides, Marcus just felt confident that no matter what. This match was his, and only his. It didn't matter if someone was there to share the victory with him or not, it was all his.]
