Air moved erratically as steel danced through the air, beads of sweat dropping on the floor as her hands danced in the air commanding blades to move at amazing angles and speed. Truly a sight to admire as her weapon was as unusual as her style. You could hear the whistling of air as it moved fastly and a second later wood being struck as the practice dummy was defenseless against the attack, and rage filing her and her strikes.

"AAAHHH" she shouted as all blades and herself destroyed the dummy, until she allowed herself to fall on her knees due to exhaustion, punching the ground as if she had failed all her attacks.

"Remember to breath as you relax young warrior" interrupted the deep voice from within the trees to her surprise.

"Master Lee, for how long have you been there?" said Irelia not lifting her eyes from the ground, but in a surprised tone, as she never noticed his presence.

"Long enough to sense something dangerous. Is this why you've been training this far from camp?"

She was stunned as she kept her gaze into the ground, as she pondered her answer but nothing came to mind but shame for her action. Her emotions had won her battle against herself as she looked at what once was a train dummy, now was shattered wood on the floor.

"You've been having them, again right? Ever since that incident I've seen you change" the blind monk waited a bit but sensing no response continued his interrogation. "Do you believe your actions were wrong? That you made a mistake?"

"No" she said quickly as she lifted her head. "If I hadn't done that many lives would have been lost, it was the correct decision."

"Indeed, no one could have acted as fast, you are always labeled a hero but not given a choice of linking being one."

She casted her eyes at the ground again, she knew what Lee meant, ever since coming up to her position he and Karma were the only one she confided her views and distress but kept everything to herself as long as she could, so she wouldn't burden them with her problem. She had much to do and many people view her as their leader, she had no time to rest as war was always on the horizon.

"Come on grab your weapon, maybe some real partner would be better for training" said the monk as he positioned himself in front of her opponent.

"You are never satisfied until you get everything out of me huh?" She said as she readied herself for the battle.

"Just try to keep up with me, and I will also like to chat as we duel" said lee as he readied a staff he brought with him.

"I've never seen that antique, did you buy it?" said Irelia in a teasing tone.

"Hahaha, no I just borrowed it from a monkey, costed me a couple of bananas" said Lee hitting the ground and getting ready for the battle.

They kept still as they both looked at each other, clenching muscles and breathing fresh oxygen to their lungs. Just as each other's breaths had inhaled to their maximum capacity, in an instant, they were already attacking one another with their weapons. Irelia always on the offensive as Lee parried her blades. One after another, as for someone without sight lee had an amazing speed and agility in knowing where the blades will be. This continued for a while as Lee gathered some distance and began to talk.

"Is this all you got young general, then I could still keep using one hand at your full power" said the monk teasingly as he received the reaction he was waiting.

"Oh really" said Irelia as a wide grin spread across her face and clutched her muscles in anticipation of what was going to come. "I'll try not to beat you up so much".

At that moment, she dashed forward, blades ready and eyes full of determination. Sparks flew as she hited again and again Lee's weapon, each strike faster than the other and some from directions which some may considered impossible to make.

"I guess using both hands is required sometimes" said Lee as he continued to back away blocking her relentless attacks

"Hahaha, how is this, is it a challenge keeping up with me?!" At that moment Irelia shifted her blades wider began attacking from both ends. "I can still go faster!"

Their fight was as one sided as it could be, the monk just stood back letting her opponent attack with all she had. In a moment as he parried one of her attacks suddenly felt as his weapon was flung out of his hands by a powerful kick and a blade struck near his throat.

"Hah, ha… I… I win" said Irelia with a grin on her face.

"That you have young warrior I'm proud of your improvements" Lee replied as he moved the blade away from his throat. "Come on I brought some tea and fruit we should take some time to enjoy them." Irelia took a second to reply as she agreed sensing Lee wanted to talk to her about something.

"Tell me something Irelia, why is that you fight?" Lee said as he seeped calmly his tea.

"Huh? For protection of course to protect us from harm, it was my fathers will and I will not disappoint him"

"Yes, of course it's to protect, but protection means harm when you are holding steel, and I've known you long enough to know killing is what you despise the most" Lee said in a stern voice as he lowered his cup already empty.

"That's…" Irelia casted her glance at the floor, he knew the blind monk couldn't see her but she was sure he knew when a single change in her face presented itself.

"A cruel world indeed, a young girl given a task she despises the most but has more talent than anyone" Lee paused for a second before cracking a smile, "That is, if this young girl didn't enjoy a good opponent" Lee then leaned over to see Irelia's attentive gaze upon his face. "You can hide many things from others, but you have never hidden that spirit when training, that excitement when knowing you can go all out without hurting someone is something you can't hide, especially against me young girl"

Irelia was speechless, no one has ever confronted her about this aspect of her life. She couldn't deny it though she knew herself, and the thrill of a good match was something she hoped when she trained.

"Maybe I do enjoy it" she said with a slight blush on her cheeks due to embarrassment. "I won't kill anyone in training"

"Indeed, you won't, and that is why those matches seem to be the only time you are happy, and that gets me sad", a frown appeared on his forehead as he exhaled some air. "You were robbed of youth, thanks to this war, training at all moments, and never taking a break."

"I have never regretted my decision of fighting for peace" Irelia said in a confident voice.

"I know, but war seems to be all your breath now, tell me when was the last time you did something you wanted, instead of training and issuing orders? Can you remember?"

Irelia quickly opened her mouth to respond but nothing came out, just a muffed sound at the back of her throat, as her eyes widened taking Lee's words and looking for an answer.

"My concern right now is only you Irelia, I can no longer sense your happiness without your blade. I don't know how to make you happy but I do know the thing that does" Lee said as he rose to his feet and handed her a letter. "I talked to the general, and you are now to take a temporal leave in order to train with better opponents, we will need you stronger if you are to lead in front"

"What? Why?" Irelia's face showed every hint of confusion possible as she tried to gasp what was happening.

"What is it that you want Irelia? What is your vision of the future?"

"To protect my home!" she shouted "To keep everyone safe!"

"And when you are no longer required? When your presence will be more of a hindrance than a benefit, what are you going to do? What is it that makes you want to keep living besides your ideals for combat!" Lee Sin shouted as visibly anger showed on his face, a sight truly rare, as Irelia was immediately stunned both hands to her side and eyes wide open. Sensing this reaction lee calmed himself and started to spoke in her calmly manner again. "Listen Irelia, I will always be there when you need support but there are things I can't do for you, that you must figure out for yourself" He continued without a moment of hesitation. "Go to the Institute, calm your thirst of battle, train all you want, but please try talking to someone for a change, leave your blades far from once, there are other things there besides the training camp remember that, and please try and see if you can make a friend" Lee then got a hand on his head and ruffled her hair. "You are to depart tomorrow morning. I'll be there to send you off"

Never has she been more confused in her life, Lee has never lied to her and she truly believed he saw her as family for a reason. Taking deep breaths, she started to calm herself, thinking that Lee could be doing this because it was necessary made her relax. "Fine, I'll do it" she spoke in a confident tone assuring Lee she trusted him, besides she would be able to fight a lot and that even though she didn't want to admit it that was more than enough reason to accept this trip.

"Good, I'm happy to hear that" said Lee as he beckoned her to start walking to the city. "Oh, and by the way all aircrafts were full. So, I'll see you at the docks first hour in the morning, and don't forget to bring your pills remember it's a 4-day trip"

Upon hearing those words Irelia lost track of her surroundings for a moment, sweat suddenly appearing in her forehead. "Lee, I think I won't be able to… Lee? LEE! THAT'S NOT FAIR!" and with those words the blind monk had already disappeared but not without letting the young warrior hear his laugh as he vanished into the distance.


Next Morning

There she was, struggling, tossing and turning with only a view of the sky beginning to light up, four wooden boards on her sides and one on her back, and the sound of horses pulling the carriage, as well as two distinctive voices she recognized and once respected.

"I swear you are going to regret this!" she shouted as she finally was exhausted from trying to free herself from the ropes.

"I'm really sorry princess, but we knew that you were not going near the docks no matter what, so Lee and I took to the matter of convincing you." Karma said as she and her partner in crime laughed against the distress of the poor and concerned warrior.

"THIS IS TREASON! HELP! I'M BEING KIDNAPPED!" the young warrior screamed only to be met with more laughs. "AAAAA, why can't I call my blades?!" she asked to the air as she knew they were close.

"I have them really secured on one of my shields" Karma said in a calm voice. "Don't worry I'll free them once we are on our way to the institute, ohh I almost forgot, this time I managed to get a lot of this one's for a great price!" said Karma as she placed a bunch of really thick bags in front of the face and to the dismay of the girl inside the carriage.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"

Was the last word heard apart from the audible laughs of two persons as a carriage heading to the sea disappeared between the vegetation.