Hi-gu Do-jo!

Hey your coming tonight right can you come early?

Taylor put her phone back down on the kitchen table and poked at her food again. The mix of chopped nuts, blueberries, yogurt, and peanut butter was actually one of the better tasting things she ate in a day, but it didn't interest her. She had a lot on her mind, which for her mother-in-law, must have been as obvious as if she had a giant neon sign on her head that said "occupied".

Her knee bounced up and down, shaking the floor a little. She checked her phone again, then put it away, then took it out again and typed out another text.

I just want to make sure because I want to talk to you about stuff and ask you some stuff. Its about the dojo thing. Can you just come a little early?

Hopefully Nikolette wouldn't be annoyed by her persistence. When Taylor got somethign in her head, it was hard for her to put it down for any length of time.

"Ave all settled in?" She said. "What's Alaina's deal, why isn't she moving in?" She glanced up at Junko questioningly.

ASAP!

Nikolette was amused by the barrage of texts that steadily filled her phone up. She was trying to get to Junko's place as quickly as possible and while Taylor's texts weren't going to get her there faster, she didn't mind how enthusiastic Taylor was about it.

"Hm?" Junko looked up from her tea. She had been lost in thought and then shook her head a bit. "Avery-chan is moved in. It's nice having people come and go. It feels like old times." She said and smiled. She then turned away, not wanting to look Taylor in the eye as though Taylor had just started speaking Greek.

"I don't think it would be right if she lived here, Taylor-chan." She said. "I don't mind that she trains but with the break up, her staying may not be the best idea." Junko furrowed her brow. "I should call Mamouru-kun again. He's been especially distant lately..." Junko trailed off.

"And breaking up with Alaina-chan... I'm a little worried. My mom-sense is tingling and I can't figure out what int he world it could be!" Junko sighed.

"You look like you're ready to go today. Are you excited that there's some extra people coming over?"

"Well, I'm sure he's fine..." Taylor offered. About as fine as Mamouru could really be.

"But yeah, of course I am. It's a big day, man, we've got a lot to cover. I've got to kick some ass so that they know what they're in for... I think Alaina will be fine here. She's like the nicest person in the world, she wont cause problems. And she needs a lot of work, so I don't want where she lives to hold her back. They've all got to start winning. Well... Except Avery. She's already halfway up the ranks. Shell probably beat Kelly and take my title and I'll look like a total asshole."

She checked her phone and saw Nikolette's text, and then jumped up out of her chair. "Did you already turn everything on in the gym?" She asked, walking backwards to face Junko as she headed for the door. "And... Hey. What do you think of Nikolette?"

Junko tilted her head at Taylor. "Hmmm... Do you think that would be best?" She asked. "I could also see it being a potential distraction." Junko tapped her finger on the counter. "Well, I can talk to her. She can move in here and if it's not working out, then I'll try and find her an apartment that's close by. That way she can jog here and she gets even more training in, fufu~" Junko's eyes finally lit up with their usual cheer and she grinned at Taylor.

"Yeah, Avery-chan does seem a bit more naturally gifted. She'll bring us more prestige, for sure. I still think she has a long way to go before she challenges you, though... or even Kelly." Even though Junko knew that Kelly was a bit of a charlatan, she still respected the girl's wrestling abilities enough to take her seriously as a credible threat to Taylor and odds on favorite to win against Avery.

"I like Tessla-san. She might be the smartest girl I've ever met." Junko said with no hyperbole in her tone. "She's a fast learner, a hard worker and very friendly. She may have a bit of a trouble when it comes to taking what she knows and executing it properly and efficiently but other than that... I'm honestly surprised she isn't up there tangling with you for the titles. I don't find her drive lacking either. Junko gave a small shrug, as if she just couldn't figure out the last bit of the puzzle.

"You two have become friends?" She asked. "I think it's good, you need more girlfriends, Taylor-chan." Junko said, scolding Taylor a bit. "Cassie-chan and Akashi-san are wonderful, but one or two more friend, friends is good for you." Juno then sighed. "I should find some more friends myself. I love Rosie-chan to death but even I could use another gal pal my age to get silly with sometimes." Junko leaned forward and grinned widely. "You know, to go out and flirt with other strapping, over-the-hill boys my age, mmmmmm..." Junko's eye twinkled. "Or young girls, fufu~" Junko did have her eye on one but she was going to keep that to herself. She was probably already grossing Taylor out.

Taylor had trouble standing still while she waited for Junko to answer her question about the gym. She danced in place until she had finished, and then quickly zipped out of the house and into the garage.

"I'll go check," she called over her shoulder. A moment later she returned.

"I thought I'd get the heaters going a little more than usual, just 'cause we'll probably do more standing around and talking than usual..." She said, at an accelerated pace.

She looked around. She was running out of things to do before training. She grabbed a baggy, black sweatshirt from the counter and put it on over her gym clothes, red sneakers, black leggings to mid-calf, and a tight red tank top that showed off her shoulders, with a white lightning bolt logo on the front. She also wore a simple black necklace and her "Kaze" bracelet, and just because she could, she had her eyebrow ring and nose stud in.

"I like that Nik's super smart, but I don't feel stupid around her. I felt stupid around Adrian, but she was always a bitch. Nik's just cool. But man... She's got to stop fucking around and get her shit together. She's so much better than she looks, I can't stand it. I'm gonna go get warm again. I know Ave's out for a bit, but where's Alaina? Can you send her in when she's ready?"

She scampered out of the house and back to the gym.

"Adrian-chan..."

Junko sighed. She didn't really have much more to say as Taylor left. What good was all the studying in the world if it came with so much...

Junko stood up and made her way towards where Alaina was. "Alaina-saaaan~" She called out. "Are you ready to practice today? Are you excited, fufu."

Alaina had been looking through an old photo album as she sat in her bed. She looked over pictures of her family, and this past week she found herself missing them for the first time since she left for Japan a year ago. On the next few pages she found pictures she took with Charlie when they first arrived. Ever since the breakup she found herself really missing him. She hated being alone, and while she wasn't "alone" at the dojo it wasn't the same as living with him. The day after the party she spent two tear-filled hours on the phone with him. He wasn't the greatest wrestler, most motivated human being or sharpest knife in the cabinet but he might have been the best listener she knew.

Thats when Alaina heard Junko calling. She was already wearing her pink sports bra, black yoga pants and white sneakers. "On the way sensei!" Alaina called put as she got up. She was more excited to train than she sounded at the moment. Truth be told, she felt like this is exactly what she needed.... something to focus on, and a way to channel her recent frustration into something constructive....

Junko popped into Alaina's room and looked around. She smiled at the girl and beckoned her. "We're beginning soon, Alaina-chan. Time to head to the gym." She then paused. "Alaiana-chan." She said softly. "Are you sure you want to keep staying here? You sure you won't be too distracted with things, right?"

Alaina smiled as the gym was mentioned, standing up and making her way to the door. "I can't wait to start!" Alaina said as cheerfully as she could. There was steam that needed venting, but her expression softened as Junko asked her next question.

"I will be fine here sensei, the gym is a lot closer and I will stay focused. Besides, Avery would be bored wouldn't she?"

Junko turned her head and gave Alaina a sideways glance behind the gleam of her spectacles. She slipped behind the taller girl and put her hands on her shoulders, massaging them while she escorted her to the gym where training could begin.