Disclaimer/ AN: Next chapter here we go! I'm enjoying writing this, hopefully you enjoy reading it. Any suggestions, or comments, or concerns, or anything really just leave a review and let me know how its going. I don't own anything of the Divergent world, I just enjoy working in/with it.

"Knife throwing is an art," Four explained caressing the blade between his fingers before he whirled it at the board and landed a clean sink in the plywood target nearly twenty feet away.

"At Dauntless we expect you to be able to fight any threat by any means so to continue your defense training with knife throwing will teach you a new skill to have with you if a dangerous situation occurs. Stance is everything but you'll need power behind your throw as well. You'll each get ten knives and at the end of each throwing session the chance to retrieve your knives. There is a fine line between bravery and idiocy, do not cross it today,"

We collected our knives and dispersed to a target. I took my usual spot at the end of the room and Nadia was yet again pushed from me as Paul swept in to take the spot to my left. He went right into throwing and I was pleased to see he was not so great at this. Finally something he wasn't good at. I could still feel the ghost of Eric's hands sweeping over me and forming the perfect stance and guiding my hand to pick up a knife. Grasping the handle I felt eyes on me as I brought it beside my ear and hurled it almost javelin style at the target. my ears were greeted with a heartwarming thunk as the blade sunk into the wood just below the stomach.

"Looks like you've found your calling Reyna," Paul laughed giving me a jovial smile, I could see he still hadn't managed to sink a blade. "Remind me to never piss you off," He laughed again noticing where the blade had hit, just below the stomach in a very sensitive area.

"Never piss me off Paul," I said in a threatening tone, only half joking. I turned back to my station to only to meet with the eyes I'd felt on me before. Eric met me with a nod of approval, which could've been due to my throwing or my threatening. I went back to my throwing with a smirk set in place of the nervous smile I'd had before. Paul was right; I'd found my calling.

I showered and dried off while the others were still finishing dinner, opting for privacy rather than a full meal. I was pulling on my training shorts and black singlet top when Dhani, tugging Nadia behind her, burst into the room and demanded all my attention, fully dressed or not. Dhani was beaming and Nadia behind her had mustard in the corner of her mouth and looked out of breath.

"We're going dancing tonight, get dressed!" She told us, not waiting for a response before tugging down her pants and stripping off her top only to replace it moments later with the scandalous dress she bought days ago.

"Um, alright, give me a second I guess," I replied to unlistening ears, taking off the clothes I'd just put on and grabbing my dress from under my bunk. Throwing it on and braiding back my still wet hair. Nadia was struggling to get the zipper up the back of her dainty black dress that had a sweetheart neckline and A-line fluttery skirt. I help her with it and she swept up her strawberry curls into a bun.

"Oh come on guys, just let your hair down you prudes," Dhani whined at us for the fifth time since we'd left for the dance club we'd scoped out a few nights back. "You look like two Stiffs,"

"Hey," Nadia scolded

"Well I guess your not to bad Nads, the updo matches the neckline. But Reyna come on, you need to let loose," Dhani explained, mistaking Nadia's disapproval at the term Stiff as a protest at her insults. Dhani made a lunge for my braid but I swooped out of the way.
"Don't Dhan,"

"Why not,"

"Because,"

"Because isn't an answer. At least let me try,"

"No,"

"Yes,"

"No, Dhani. Absolutely not, I like my braid and besides my hair is wet anyway,"

"That's no excuse, come on it'll frame your face. It'll make you prettier. Striking,"

"Ugh, fuck it! Fine Dhan have at it," She accepted my defeat eagerly and had already taken out the elastic before I could second guess myself. She was fluffing out my tangly waves and grinned at her work. Over her shoulder Nadia was grinning as well. I guess Dhani did know what she was doing.

"Is it really that much better," I asked as we turned the corner and stepped into the noisy heart of life in Dauntless.

"Yes. Now we're here, let me do the talking and we should be let in no problem,"

We stood back as Dhani flirted our way into the club. She lead us in with one last wink to the doorman, who probably thought Dhani was years older and actually a member of Dauntless. I noticed the sound first and then my other senses reawoke. Taking their first breaths as they entered the unusual world of nightlife. My heart felt the beat as it coursed through my body. The bass was deafening and intoxicating, as was the smell and the lights were blinding to say the least. It was chaotic and loud and I loved every minute.

Nadia had lost Dhani almost right away, possibly in the direction of the bar but it was beyond my thoughts in that moment. We took to the dance floor and started moving like we were the stream of water and the music was the hand moving and creating a flow that was beautiful and all our own. We danced for hours, with each other, with others, with Dhani when we found her again. It was a good night and we were spent by the time we traipsed back to bed.

I fell heavily to my bed and though my ears were still ringing and my heart was still beating my mind was dead and sleep came effortlessly.

A gasp escaped my lips and burst out into the air above me. My face was burning with an icy chill, a wet, icy chill that cut to my core. Gasping again, I brought my hands to my eyes and rubbed the water from them.

"What the fuck was that," I groaned, wiping back the hair that was stuck to my face. Eric, Four, and all the other Initiates were surrounding my bed. The Initiates looked amused, fuck them, Eric and Four looked amused but unfortunately disciplinary, fuck them too.

"That, Initiate was what happens when you don't wake up for training," Eric smirked holding the bucket up high clearly pleased with his work. "You would've been out, but Four and I are in a good mood today,"

"Shit! I slept in are you serious," I was now fully conscious. Some people around me let out snickers at my disfortune, but I could see that Nadia and Dhani were both sympathetic. It could've been any one of us in this situation now. But of course, it was me.

"I'm dead serious Initiate," Eric bent down, trying to intimidate me, it probably would've worked if I wasn't focused on how close he was, and how he smelled like spicy oranges. "Now get up,"

"Yes Sir," I got out of bed, determined to show Eric that his intimidation wouldn't work and he could shove his wakeup call where the sun won't shine. We were really close, I could feel the heat radiating from him, I could sense the smirk on his face. I glared up at him, secretly revelling in how perfect the height difference was. I was hypnotized as his eyes met mine and his smirk grew. I would just have to lean up a bit and we'd be kissing. Wait! What the fuck was I thinking, this is supposed to be an intimidation.

The wolf whistle pulled me out of my worried thoughts. Why was there a wolf whistle, was I that obvious. Was he obvious! No he would never let anyone read him like that. Especially a bunch of Initiates. Besides he would never need to hide his attraction to me because he would never feel attraction to me. I looked up at him again, trying to find a shred of emotion, something unguarded. His steel blue eyes were on me, his smirk was tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"This is a whole other side of you Initiate," Eric grinned suggestively. Where was this coming from. My confusion was interrupted by the feeling of his chest against mine. My chest. Which was covered with only a sports bra.

SHIT! Shit! Are you fucking kidding me. This couldn't be worse.

"Damn Rey! Is this what you've been hiding from us," Halen laughed from across the room. He was the whistler I guess. There was nothing to cover up with and I was surrounded by my fellow Initiates. This would just have to be another test in the Dauntless initiation process.

"Well get a good look because you'll never see this again Halen," I snapped at him turning around and grabbing some shorts and a vneck from under my bed and pulling them on.

"Shows over, let's go," I said glaring daggers at no one in particular. Brushing past the group I made my way into the training room.

Eric and Four filed into the centre of the gym style training room that we'd been in before. This time, however, they had set up mats in the centre of the room and scoring system was written on a chalkboard at the side of the room. The Initiates around me had a mixture of reactions. Most like me were apprehensive of what would be coming next. Surely they wouldn't make us fight them, but would we have to fight each other. Some of the boys looked excited or at least pleased that we'd finally be seeing some action.

"Let's hope you're all smart enough to figure out what your next training session will be," Eric deadpanned. He had on a black mens tank top that fitted well across the chest. His shoulders stood out as he brought his forearms behind his back and begun pacing. I watched him, my eyes following him across the room like I was ripping through a good book.

"You'll be facing chosen opponents in combat for the next week," Eric explained he was still pacing but I was now in worried eye contact with Nadia. It was hard to picture her slender frame in a fight against someone like Dhani let alone someone like Paul or Geoff.

"We will try as hard as we can to keep the fights fair," Four cut in only to be quickly cut off by Eric.

"No we won't. Real fights won't be tailored to your strengths. So to prepare you for reality, neither will your fights here," I started sucking on my top lip, something I hadn't done since leaving Candor. Fours face was one of intense frustration; I sensed they had some leadership issues, perhaps Four was growing tired of being second in command, or maybe Eric was getting comfortable with being first. I felt more inclined to the latter.

"Alright," Four rolled his eyes and started reading off the clipboard in hand, "First pairings are as follows; Paul - Halen, Anika - Nadia, Geoff - Jax, Dhani - Allera, Reyna - Forner. That's it for today, Paul, Halen you're up,"

"You will fight each other until one of you cannot fight anymore," Eric called to them, as they took their positions on the mat. My stomach knotted and twisted, this was getting brutal. Paul would annihilate and I couldn't stand to see good-humoured Halen get beat.

"Or until one of you taps out," Four's strained voice felt like a saviour to me. Paul would certainly tap out rather than hurt one of his friends. As the two boys got ready in the ring, Paul bouncing around in his near perfect fighters stance, Halen stretching out his arms like he was about to run a race.

The fight commenced as suddenly as it ended. Paul had swung first landing a blow to Halen's abdomen. As Halen leaned into the blow Paul brought his hands down on Halen's back and he went down sprawling out under Paul who was now calculating his next move. Halen desperately grabbed at Pauls ankles, now realizing that his friend would not be taking it easy on him. He got Paul on his back and straddled him quickly, he landed a hasty punch but was flipped easily, because he'd forgotten to put his full weight on Paul to pin him successfully. With Paul now on top, Halen's chances were knocked out almost as fast as he was. Geoff and Paul picked up the limp Halen and hauled him out of the ring. My blood was boiling, how was brutality considered bravery, how was beating your friend to a pulp ever considered above cowardice.

They carried on as if nothing had happened with Anika and Nadia, I barely watched. My fingers had laced themselves over my eyes and I was peeking out through my index and middle fingers. Anika was a weak transfer from Candor who I never got on with. I was surprised she joined Dauntless and convinced she would be Factionless by the end of this week. Nadia was circling and I locked eyes with her before the fight started. She looked apologetic and I was proud that she knew what she was up against and that she wouldn't hurt an innocent too badly.

Nadia's first swing was a sharp one that landed her opponent on the mats quickly. Anika started kicking out violently but Nadia just grabbed both her legs and started pushing them over her head until the stretch was too painful. Anika was tapping out before Nadia had to think of anything else and I was happy at how uneventful the fight had been.

Geoff and Jax had the fairest fight yet, matched in height, weight, and skills it was like watching Geoff fight himself. It would've gone on longer if Eric hadn't gotten board and demanded a KO, to which Geoff obliged and Jax was finished. They were both bloody but thankfully smiling as they helped each other off the mats.

My fight was getting closer and closer with each fight ending. I was up against a boy and though I didn't remember him having any spectacular skills he did have a full head on me height wise, and was at least double my weight. He didn't look in top form but that didn't really matter unless I could out move and out think him. He was from Amity not Candor so I supposed I wouldn't have to hard of a time out thinking him.

Dhani was holding her own against the solid girl, who looked like she could be Paul's twin. She was strong, but slow which held her at a disadvantage to Dhani's lightning reflexes. In the end, Dhani had finally succeeded at pining female Paul and had her wrist bent back until she tapped. The match was over when she gave up and tapped, if only just to get the severely bleeding Dhani off her. Dhani had smartly used the bloody blow to her jaw to her advantage and spat a huge wad of her rusty red spit into her opponents eyes. I was oddly proud of Dhani and her quick thinking and hoped I could mimic her in her efforts against the giant she'd beaten.

I walked to the ring and met the eyes of my opponent. I was thankful he wasn't a friend of mine, but looking into his worried green eyes I felt a pang of guilt for being thankful. He had muscles, I couldn't deny it, but they were the out in the sun lifting crates of apples (that were probably heavier than I was) kind of muscles, not the intimidating, neck breaking Dauntless muscles. He looked gentle, big and determined, but gentle. He still had the sunny glow from the Amity fields radiating from his bronze skin, and his golden hair was still streaked with longing from the sun. The laugh-lines on his face were only a shadow of what they used to be, but I could see the tips of a tattoo hiding under the collar of his shirt. A desperate attempt to make up for his longing of home. I smiled at him genuinely and he returned it, hesitant.

"Are you going to propose or hit her Amity," Eric yelled from the sidelines rattling us both into action.

I took my fighters stance, running through in my mind a checklist that had Eric written all over it. I held my hands in fists near to my face, to protect the things that were easily breakable. I kept my knees bent, but my feet light. I could see that my opponents eyes were checking for a weakness, I could also see that he favoured his left side and kept his right open for an attack. I switched my weight to my back foot and kicked him hard in the right side. He winced but quickly recovered. He retaliated with a swing to my face, which I ducked out of, but his blow still grazed my ear. I back up and kicked again, this time he caught my foot and pulled me forward. I braced myself against him and ducked out of the grip that was encircling me. He followed my retreat and swung out again, low this time. I took the full force to my ribs and cried out in pain. He backed off then surprised at my outburst and I took my chance sweeping low and taking his legs out from under him. I hastily crawled onto him and sat down heavily. My knees held both his arms down and my fist connected with his jaw twice before he managed to roll me onto the mat and take my position on top. His jaw was bloody and his eyes were desperate. If I didn't get him off me I was done for. He drew his fist back ready to finish me a had to think quickly. I didn't want to hurt him, but I wanted to protect myself from harm. I had tugged my left hand out from under him and I was pushing back on his chest frantically. He was distracted by my pushing and looked down to me with worried eyes. Guilt overtook me as I took advantage of his concern and slapped my hand across his face and back again. He was off guard and I felt him let up enough for me to roll us both over again and for me to retake my position on top. This time I pinned his throat under my forearm and pressed down with all my might.

"Concede," I yelled as I pressed further. His face losing its golden light in exchange for a struggling red.

"No,"

"Yes,"

"NO!"

"Just do it. Please, just concede. Please,"

He was choking now, his eyes were watering and I could no longer tell what colour they were originally. I just wanted this to be over and I could tell that he wouldn't break for me. Not willingly.

"I concede," I sighed, collapsing off my red faced opponent who was gasping for breath beside me. My chest was heaving and I finally felt the pain ebbing through me again.

"What did you say Initiate," Eric stepped on to the mat and stood above me, he looked furious. As if my conceding was the last straw. My heart which had finally resumed a normal pace sped up again, was it fear, adrenaline, or just Eric? This time I suspected a mixture of the three.

"I concede," I sat up on my elbows not wanting to appear weak.

"Why the fuck would you do that," Eric spat. Why was he goading me. I wasn't the only one who conceded.

"I was done, I couldn't take anymore so I conceded," I glared getting up so that I could stand my ground. "Those were the rules weren't they,"

"They were, I guess I just didn't expect you to be so weak," His words hit me like a backhand across my face. It hurt that he thought I was weak, well I expected him to feel that way, but I wasn't expecting to hear it out loud. It also infuriated me further. What I did was not weak.

"Do honestly think that bravery is beating someone just to beat them,"

"I think that the fight isn't over until one of the participants can no longer fight,"

"Is that what the Dauntless think or is that what you think," The other Initiates were holding their breath and Four was struck silent. I had forgotten they were there, that we had an audience.

"Initiates! This is a learning opportunity, so listen up. A real Dauntless would never back down or give up. And since Candor doesn't seem to get that I'll just have to teach her myself," Eric turned his attention from the crowd to me. I knew what was coming next but I dreaded to believe he'd do this.

"Fighters stance Initiate," I did as he asked even though my body was begging me not to.

"Eric! Stop," Four was finally out of his daze.

"She needs to learn Four," Eric's eyes never left my face as I winced from the pain in my ribs. My fighters stance, the one that he'd taught me, was frail in comparison to his. I could see every muscle in his arms as he brought them in front of his face. He started circling me, watching me like predator watches prey. Let's pray he goes easy on me.

I struck out first but he blocked it easily and did the same for my next hit. He used his forearm to hit me in the ribs. He fucking knew I'd been hit there before. I hissed in pain and glared at him, he had a smirk on his face that was so aggravating. I brought my leg up in preparation for a kick, which he moved to block leaving his face open to the punch I landed across his jaw. I faintly heard cheering from the sidelines but was swept to the ground before I could celebrate my small victory. He kicked me twice before allowing me to get up again. The cat wanted to toy with his mouse. I attempted at a fighter's stance but it was weak at best. I ducked his next punches and managed to land a sloppy uppercut to his jaw again. I blocked the punch he threw to my head but left myself open to the one he had aimed for my abdomen. He hit me down from my hunched over position in front of him. I was sprawled out with my back to the mats. He had me down again.

"Eric that's enough," Four yelled at him giving me a perfect opportunity while his attentions were elsewhere. I sat up and reached a hand behind each knee, using all my strength I pulled back my hands and his knees gave out from beneath him. I took his surprise and used it against him. Desperately scrambling to straddle him before the tables turned again. I landed three punches to his face before he flipped me off him and pinned me under him. I was finished; we both knew it. There was no coming back from this one. I couldn't tap out either. I would have to take whatever he decided to give me, and take it dauntlessly. He punched me twice; I spat out blood on the last one. My eye was swelling shut on one side and I was too out of it to find out if it was the left or right. I cried out one last time as his final punch connected and sent me into blackness.