Chapter 52: Respect

When we were all lined up and stationary, I was able to finally get a good sense of how many people I was up against. There were about twenty chi blockers, including myself, who seemed to all be fighting for a spot in the Lieutenant's squadron. Most of them seemed like they had been thoroughly trained. Probably veterans of the Equalist force, just looking for a promotion. Then my eyes scanned to some of the younger fighters. They looked rather small, some of them even gangly looking still. Naomi was one of them. She had muscle and had filled out, being in her later teens... but she was still so young. So innocent looking.

And she looks like Hell.

Bags were forming under her eyes, tired lines marring her usually youthful and vibrant face. I reached out with my bending, feeling past the lines of steady hearts to feel hers racing. Her entire body was rigid, each muscle coiled in tension.

What happened to you?

"When I tell you all to fall in, this is exactly what you will do, understand?" The Lieutenant barked as he paced through the tunnel we had made with our bodies. Once he moved past me, I allowed my eyes to drift to the young man across from me, who I recognized as one of the two who had strung me up in the woods. He was glaring at me.

"Sir, yes, sir!" We droned in unison. I glanced sideways to make sure the Lieutenant's back was turned, before giving a cocky grin to the lad across from me. Bastard.

"Today," The Lieutenant continued, oblivious to the dirty looks that were shooting back and forth. "We will continue with sparring. The few newer additions we have will continue to train in a separate group today." I heard a few groans ripple through the ranks. The Lieutenant ignored them. "Veterans, you know what to do. Dismissed."

The crowd around me bowed, awkwardly followed by my delayed bow. When I became upright again, everyone moved in different directions, peeling off to their sparring mats. A large central square mat was left open, most likely for the newer additions.

Oh shit... that probably includes me...

I sighed as I saw that my tormentors from the morning were standing across from me, sneers on their faces.

Laugh it up, boys. Cause pretty soon those dumb smiling lips of yours are going to be kissing the mat... or the heel or my boot. That would be fun, too.

"Listen up!" Lee drew my attention back to him. "I'll be watching over your progress today along with Shiro."

You've GOT to be joking with me. I looked sideways to see the giant man lumber into the room, his beady eyes staring a hole through my forehead. I rolled my eyes, grinding my teeth while the Lieutenant began sorting us. He stopped when he came face to face with my scowling face.

"What?" He asked, a foxy grin hidden beneath his mustache. "Upset that you're with the kids?"

My eyes flickered up to scan the young crowd of chi blockers, spying Naomi amongst the other awkward teens. I kept myself silent, instead giving an overly confident and indifferent look to the Lieutenant. His eyes flashed with humor as I allowed a smirk to come to my lips.

"With all do respect sir, you're wrong," I spoke softly, but with confidence.

"Oh?" He asked, his eyebrows raising with humor. He know I'm about to do something cheeky.

"Yes, sir. I would like nothing more than to take a crack at a few of the idiotic guys you have in this group."

He looked at me contemplatively before turning to the others. "What if we had a competition? You all compete and the few Shiro and I deem worthy, graduate out of our little newbie class. Sound fair?" I crossed my arms, feeling my heart begin to speed up with excitement. "It will be done similarly to how we do the weekly challenges. I will choose who picks the challengers. Those who win advance to the next round. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!"

The Lieutenant smiled, glancing back to me. "Good. Let us begin."

We all moved to line the edge of the large mat, each of us facing in. The Lieutenant walked up to me, smirked, but moved on.

Damn. I really wanted to pick out that son of a bitch from this morning. The first challenger was a stocky young woman, who called out a rather small looking boy. I quirked an eyebrow at her as the lanky kid made his way to face her. Choosing the weaker, huh? No challenges wanted here, it would seem.

I rolled my eyes, barely even paying attention as she quickly downed the boy half her size. Lee chose the next contestant, an energetic man who looked to be in his thirties. His challenger was a boy a little over half his age, who was standing next to me. I would have thought he was choosing the easy route too, but it seemed he had a beef with the kid.

Seems I'm not the only one who is using this to settle scores. Good.

That fight lasted longer with more bruising and soon-to-come soreness. I watched with interest as the elder seemed to gain the upper hand, paralyzing the boy's left arm with a quick jab to the back of his shoulder. Still. I found myself smirking as the kid spun, connecting his heel with his older opponent's jaw, sending him careening to the mat.

Did I just hear a crack? Ouch. It would seem that chi blocking isn't the only way to win around here.

The next challenger was the leader out of the two boys who had harassed me earlier. I felt my blood boil as he stepped past me, not daring to challenge me.

Shit! Come on! Fight me like a man, dammit!

He chose Naomi.

Oh no...

A look of worry washed over her face, before she hid it with confidence. She stepped forward, her head held high on tired looking shoulders. Her foot slid backwards, lowering her into a ready stance as she glared bullets at the cocky smirk stretching the guy's lips.

It began with his fist colliding with Naomi's cheek. She spun, clearly rattled and thrown off. But, he didn't stop. He wailed on her. There were no calculated shots. No carefully placed jabs. This wasn't how a chi blocker fought, and he wasn't trying to be one. He was aimed for one thing and one thing only.

To hurt her.

Rage coursed through me, my heart escalating to match the frantic beats of Naomi's. My feet moved before I told them to, taking me a step onto the mat, my fists and jaw clenched. A firm hand gripped the crook of my arm, pulling me back. I whipped my head sideways to see the Lieutenant's calm face still watching the fight.

"Don't intervene," He spoke softly, so no one would hear.

I turned my face back to Naomi's battle, trying not to move my lips as I responded. "You need to stop this. He isn't trying to win. He's trying to hurt her."

"I know. But Naomi needs to fend for herself. I will step in if it gets excessive."

I jutted out my jaw, scowling. "You don't call this excessive?" I nodded lightly towards the center of the mat where the boy was landing repeated punched to Naomi's torso. Finally, the poor girl fell, curling in on herself as the onslaught continued with the boy kicking her downed frame.

"Hey! Enough!" The Lieutenant called angrily, rushing forward. The kid didn't stop. "Durjaya! Enough!" Lee shoved the kid back, commanding him back to his place along the edge of the mat.

Durjaya, huh? So that's your name. Bring it on.

The Lieutenant checked on Naomi, helping her to her shaking feet. As she returned, wincing, to her place, she sent a small, defeated look in my direction.

I'm going to kick his ass...

"It's your turn," The Lieutenant said to me, his hands folded behind his back. "Choose your opponent."

I stretched my shoulders as I paced out onto the mat, gazing around me at my potential challengers. My eyes settled on the other young man who had attacked me in the woods. I gave him a mischievous smirk, gesturing him forward with the curls of my fingers.

"Let's go. You and me."

He gave me a confident grin before facing me. We bowed stiffly, our eyes never breaking contact. I set myself in a ready position, surprised at the small burn in my legs. I guess that's what happens when you keep getting beating half to death.

Well... literally to death...

I yelped as I dodged sideways to avoid the fist aimed at my face. Dammit! Pay attention, Kanni, let's go! I stumbled slightly, feeling the protest of my ribs already. The young man twirled, sending a roundhouse kick aimed at my head. I weaved sideways again, a smile forming on my face.

"You're more predictable than I thought you would be," I chided as I spun around him, a hand shooting out to shove him in the back. He stumbled forward, whirling with a livid face. I raised my fists and smirked at him, winking.

He let out a growl, racing forward. I rolled sideways, quickly regaining my footing as he punched at me. I backpedaled as I deflected his attacks, finally landing a kick to his diaphragm, sending him flailing backwards.

"Oh come on," I teased. "You can do better than that, I'm sure." I walked calmly around him, waiting for him to attack. He was gasping deeply, trying to catch his breath. Suddenly, he launched himself out of his crouch, his fist rocketing forward.

I felt my lips tug into a smile as I pivoted my body to be on the outside of his arm, my hands flashing up to grip his wrist and elbow. I twisted, kicking up my left foot, dragging his ankle along with my heel. He fell to his knees, his right arm pulled behind him by my hold. I shoved my foot into the center of his back, pushing him all the way to the mat, so his face was turned sideways. He glared at me from his position, only making me smirk more.

"Enough! We have our winner," The Lieutenant announced as he moved towards us on the mat. I took the moment I had before his arrival to lean down to the young man's ear.

"Touch me again... ever... and I'll break your arm next time. Got it?" He didn't respond, instead choosing to continue his glare. I twisted my hands, making him cry out quietly. "Got it?" I growled through my teeth.

He nodded, the Lieutenant grabbing my elbow to pull me away just as I released him. I raised my arms in surrender. "I'm done, I'm done."

I retreated back to my place on the outside of the mat, watching my opponent rise stiffly like a messenger hawk. Lesson learned.

A few more fights occurred, but I didn't really pay attention. Mostly, I just glared at my primary attacker from the morning, learning his every move. I knew I was going to fight him... whether or not it was in the challenge. How violent I seem to have become... I silenced my inner voice with a scowl.

My next fight was with a muscular woman, her hair drawn back into a tight bun, her face creased with years of worry. It wasn't much of a fight. From the moment I took my place across from her on the mat, I saw that she had a weak left foot. Most likely a childhood injury. She stuttered slightly on it, so I capitalized. Continuously pivoting to her right side, forcing her to use her left foot as a plant. Over a short time, I was able to duck her kick, sweep my leg, and down her, my fist cocked above her face.

There were only four of us left, and I was happy to see that my abuser was one of them. I smirked at him from across the mat. The Lieutenant gestured to him.

"Durjaya, since you completed your fight with the quickest time, you get to challenge who you wish."

So time matters? Oh well... I was having fun with the other kid. I glared at him as he stepped forward, a menacing sneer on his face.

"You. Shiny. It's time you got put in your place," He called loudly for the room to hear.

My eyes cut sideways to see the other training sections had stopped to gather around our mat. I looked back to Durjaya calmly. "You're welcome to try," I spoke in a flat voice.

I stepped forward, the other contestants leaving the mat.

"Begin!" The Lieutenant's call was barely heard as my blood pounded in my ears. Neither of us moved. We just paced in a circle, our fists held up.

"Oh, come on, Shiny," My opponent mocked. "Afraid to hit me?" Don't let him get to you. He's trying to use your own tactic against you. He raised his arms to his sides cockily. "I get it," He nodded, smiling. "You don't know what to do without your bending." My nostrils flared as I ground my teeth. "You're just pathetic now without it." He shook his head, feigning sadness.

I rolled my eyes. "And yet," I called back, allowing sarcasm to drip into my words. "You're still afraid to attack me. At least," I looked sideways at his friend who still held his arm close to his chest. "Not when the fight is fair."

Mutters flew through the crowd, the spectators looking back and forth between us in apprehension.

"So what's it gonna be, kid?" I called, tilting my head. "You sure you want to fight me?"

He growled, rushing forward with his fists flying. Gotcha. I had to admit, though, the kid had skill. I blocked his attacks, pivoting sideways to get some breathing room as I back-stepped. He advanced again, unleashing more attacks. He spun, kicking at me, but I ducked under his leg, planting my boot on his hip, kicking him away. I stood behind him as his hands planted on the ground to catch himself. He turned suddenly, backhanding me across the face. I fell sideways, my hand coming up to my cheek in shock. I found myself looking up at him as he towered over me, a curl of his brown hair falling into his eyes.

"Learn your place, bitch," He growled, and then spit at me. My mind shut down entirely, my hand coming up to wipe the saliva off of my cheek. I twisted myself on the ground, flinging my legs around in a circle, sweeping through his ankles. I was on my feet in moments, flipping in the air to bring my heel down on his sternum, but he rolled out of the way. He regained his footing standing opposite me with a slight expression of shock.

"Maybe you should learn yours... bitch," I quipped back at him with sass. We both went for a kick simultaneously, our legs connecting in midair. Our legs bent at the knee, locking us together. He tried pulling my forward, off of my plant foot. Surprisingly, I let him, but I only used it to twist in the air and use my plant to kick out the back of his planted knee. He crumpled to the ground, followed quickly by my face slamming onto the mat.

"Ow..." I groaned as I rolled over, my hand rubbing at my nose. Something grabbed my ankle, yanking my backwards as I yelped. I lashed out with my other foot, but that was caught too. I growled, tucking myself in so I could reach his face. Unable to get any good power behind a hit, I elected to just jab my fingers wherever they would cause pain. He cried out as I aimed for his eyes, reeling backwards.

Don't want to go blind now, do ya?

I kicked out my feet, arching my back so I landed upright. He was on his feet too, just staring at me. We advanced at each other in sync again, both lashing out and blocking punches back and forth. Finally, I was able to nail my heel at his crotch. His face turned red, his veins pulsing as he dropped to his knees while cupping his jewels. I smiled, launching my fist at his nose.

But he caught it. His fingers wrapped around my wrist, twisting my arm sideways, spinning my body. His shoes poked at the back of my knees, making me fall. His lips came down to brush against my ear as he spoke.

"Is this what it felt like? Do you feel the same fear that you did then? Do you feel like what you are? A failure? You failed to defend yourself, even with all of that infernal power you had." His breath was hot on my neck and cheek, making me cringe in disgust. "You're nothing."

My eyes snapped open as my mind came flooding back. I pushed off of my toes, my still restrained arm complaining as I twisted it further. My other arm came back to grip Durjaya's other arm, whose fingers had come to grip the back of my neck. I pulled at him, my legs leaving the ground to wrap up his arm, around his torso and neck. I rotated myself, feeling my weight shift to pull him over me. He toppled as my back hit the mat painfully. Just as his mass was about to fall onto me, I released him, planted my feet on his chest, and pushed, launching him away.

I pulled myself up quickly, rotating my now freed arm to get it loose. I sprinted forward, dodging Durjaya's fist as he attacked desperately. I deflected the next blow, my foot slamming into the inside of his knee, blowing it out.

He fell with a scream to his good knee, his hands gripping at the injury. I grabbed the sides of his head, forcing him to look at me as I stared with an intimidating gaze.

"Disrespect me again, and you won't ever walk again. Understood?" I growled.

His eyes filled with terror as he whimpered. "Please... please don't hurt me."

"I'll take that as a yes," I replied before pulling his head down to meet my knee, knocking him unconscious. I released him, letting him crumple to the floor with a groan. I breathed in deeply, replacing my neutral mask, before turning to see the shocked expressions of the room.

I let my icy stare slide over everyone, trying to send the message that I wouldn't just roll over and let them abuse me. I felt a small smirk tug at the corner of my lips when my gaze alighted on Kanan. His bearded mouth was smiling, his green eyes bright as he nodded in praise at me. I let my eyes roam more, passing over the sad eyes of Naomi, to find the Lieutenant's half-smile as he tried to school his impression back into submission.

He stepped forward. "That was excessive, Shiny."

I stood straight, beside my unconscious opponent. "Apologies, sir."

"That doesn't sound sincere."

"I won't lie and say it is."

A grin pulled at his mouth again, his eyes sparkling with amusement at my cheek. "Do you not think it was excessive, soldier?"

I was silent for a moment, before meeting his eye. "No, sir."

"Why?"

"I would prefer not to disclose that, sir."

He spread his arms, gesturing to our rather large audience. "We are an army here, Shiny. A family. There are no secrets." You sure?

I sighed lightly, looking sideways to see Kanan's curious face. He wants to see how I'll answer.

"I was just settling a score, sir."

The Lieutenant's eyebrow rose in question. "What score? You've only just started, Shiny. You should be making friends."

I looked at him with amusement. "I think we both know I'm not very good at that, sir. The score is from the morning. I won't disclose detail."

The Lieutenant smirked at my first words, but it melted away when I blatantly said I wouldn't answer. He came close to me, our noses almost touching, and spoke in a low, threatening voice. "You will tell me, soldier. Now."

I didn't flinch, but merely slid my gaze to meet his. "With all do respect, sir, as you said... we're a family. And it seems that I'm a part of it now. I will not go tattling on my troublesome siblings." His face moved away as his eyes searched my own. "I'll just take care of them, myself."

His chest expanded with a deep breath, a scowl painting his features. He turned to the group, yelling, "We are done for the day! Dismissed!"

The room was silent as we bowed.

"New class... stay," The Lieutenant finished. I hadn't moved from my position as I watched the others halt, defeated sighs escaping their lips. I heard a few chuckles from the veterans as they quickly escaped the training room. The Lieutenant turned back to see that I hadn't moved.

He looked to the group with a steely gaze. "Due to the actions and performances today..." He glanced to me, followed by the incriminating looks of the rest of my training group.

Oops... maybe I wasn't very smart today...

"... The new additions group will be disbanded," The Lieutenant continued. All eyes snapped to him in surprise. "I have been shown that, perhaps, learning from veterans is the best way. But understand this... no one will take it easy on you from now on. Understand?"

"Yes, sir!"

He nodded, his fingers pinching at the bridge of his nose. "Good. Now go. And somebody get the medics in here to help the kid."

We all bowed, moving to leave the room. A hand reached out, gently grabbing my elbow. I turned my face to see the face of Lee. I glanced at the door to see the receding backs of my fellow trainees.

"Yes?" I asked softly.

"Why don't you tell me what happened?"

I smiled, looking at the ground. "It wasn't much. Just some harassment and then being strung up in the woods. But it's handled."

He looked at me concerned. "Why didn't you say anything? That's misconduct. I could have-"

I held up my hand, silencing him. "I didn't say anything because I knew you would do something. That's because you're a good leader," I rested my hand encouragingly on his shoulder. "But what would I look like if I ran crying to the Lieutenant? Hmm?" I asked. "A weakling. They would just keep trampling me and making my life harder when you weren't looking. Now they know who they're messing with, and that I'm not going to take their shit."

The Lieutenant smiled as I let my hand fall back to my side. "I should have known there would be a reason."

"Yes, you should've."

"But please," He sighed tiredly, rubbing at his temples. "Stop breaking my men?"

I glanced back to the kid, still unconscious, as medics carried him towards the infirmary. I looked back to meet Lee's eyes. "So breaking women is okay?"

He chuckled, shoving my shoulder jokingly. "Stop breaking people in general."

"What if they deserve it?"

"Kanni," He warned.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm joking. Yikes." I looked at the Lieutenant kindly. "Can I go now?"

He sighed, "Yes, yes. Dismissed."

I bowed, before darting excitedly out of the room.

It had been a pretty good day thus far... Worked out. Got to beat some people up. Settled scores. Maybe even made some friends.

Best of all... I had earned their respect that morning.