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'Oh, hello Master Nagani-jin.' Dahlia stammered nervously. 'We were just…um.'

'Yeah,' Faye chimed in, 'we were um discussing er…' She ceased her stuttering as she spotted a tiny grin sneak across her master's face. Faye burst into renewed laughter at her Dahlia's shocked expression.

'Don't worry, I'm not mad,' Nagini-jinn assured them, 'I just want to borrow Dahlia for a moment please,' He asked looking at Faye. Dahlia followed him to the side of the hall while the new recruits were being introduced to the teachers. She saw one of her own teachers, Master Takeno, talking to a short stocky girl with mousy hair pulled into a loose ponytail. Taking her eyes away from the novel students, she focussed on Master Nagini's wrinkled stern face.

'Are you all right Dahlia? I've heard you're becoming distracted in lessons and the teachers are noticing you don't always complete your homework. I know you are completely capable and they know that too, but you need to finish your schooling no matter how qualified mentally you are.'

Ah ha. So that's it. He's not mad because he thinks I'm upset about something. Another voice in her head awoke saying; well you are upset aren't you? You want to become a full-fledged druid but your father's blood won't allow that. You're tainted, damaged. You will never be one with the earth and wield the powers of nature. It's never going to happen, so you should just accept it.

'I'm not upset, I'm just training all the time. I know I'll never be a full druid but I want to test my limits. And also I have an upcoming grading in kicking techniques. I want to practise for it and -' she paused seeing the suspicious face of her master. 'Really, I'm okay. Don't worry so much. So what was it you really wanted to talk to me about? You never talk to me specifically about my feelings, there's always a hidden meaning.' That's the way it is with druids she added to herself mentally.

Nagini's mouth wrinkled into a smile crinkling the edges of his eyes. 10 years had really taken their toll on him. He knew she was lying; Dahlia never asks for help. She prefers to solve her own problems. She is so much like her myself when I was younger. I wanted her to be druid so badly but I must help her see that I am not disappointed IN her. I am disappointed FOR her. Even if I did tell her, she wouldn't listen… she respects me and looks up to me but she always makes up her own mind. Nagini-jin pulled himself out of his reverie and concentrated on the job at hand.

'You know me too well,' he chided. Dahlia smirked at this, though not in a mocking way. He continued, 'I would like you to fight some of the new arrivals to determine if they are worthy. I would do this myself but I am quite drained as I have not been sleeping well don't feel up to it.'

Concern flared in Dahlia's eyes but she would not dare enquire, she merely nodded, bowed and replied, 'Yes Master Nagini-jin.' She would have liked to ask him of his health but she knew it was forbidden in the presence of other masters; they were treated with the utmost respect and honour. Instead she took her mind off the subject of her master's condition and looked on towards the new hopefuls.

Every year the 5 masters of the martial arts centre invited a few new students. They were very selective about whom they asked because their centre is no ordinary one as it not only trains outstanding black belts; it also trains seers, druids and sorcerers. Knowing this, she expected to fight against someone quite experienced. The rules of entry were specific, once the elders had been satisfied that the person was worthy to join the brotherhood, he or she was to fight an experienced member. The one to be knocked down 3 times lost. Dahlia herself had only fought twice against a new recruit and had won both times. The first had been sent away but the second had been allowed a re-try because she had nowhere to go at the time. The elders gave her a second chance and she beat one of the members called Scaren. This girl was Faye, Dahlia's best friend and a seer. She possessed great and terrible power but it was as yet unfocussed and it was the job of the elders to help Faye control her gift.

Dahlia quickly ran upstairs to change into her fighting clothes, a Gi, her black belt and trousers. Racing back into the hall she scanned the room for Master Faniew, she finally spotted him along with the short mousy haired girl, a tall willowy blond and a young boy with tousled dark hair. She strode over to the group.

'Master Faniew, I am here to challenge one of your recruits. Who am I to fight?' Master Faniew looked around and his eyes searched for a volunteer, when he found none he pointed at the young boy.

'Dain will fight you Dahlia. Go to the centre of the hall and we will observe.' Dahlia bowed and obeyed, as the crowd in the hall dispersed to the sides in order to witness the fight.

Dahlia turned to face the boy. He was about her age with a tattered T-shirt and deep green eyes. Smiling she held out her hand.

'Hey I'm Dahlia.' He didn't take her hand, just stared at her with probing eyes and a brooding look on his face. Dahlia's smile slipped and her face sobered. She watched him take a fighting stance.

'To accept the challenge the opponent must bow, and the attacker must reply. Bow,' she ordered. He gave a short bow and she returned it. They took their positions and the fight began.

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Ok. Tell me what you think. Next chapter is on it's way, so if you want to make any critisisms please do. I appreciate any help of any kind. Blatant rudeness is not appreciated however. Thank you please review ; )