Dahlia listened for the clang of the bell that signalled the fight to commence and after a pause a loud BANG (onomatopoeia yay!) Reverberated throughout the hall and Dahlia locked eyes with her opponent as they circled. She belatedly thought her had nice eyes when a punch out of nowhere collided with her abdomen. She reeled for a second then silently cursed herself for not focussing. She kept composed and found a certain calmness flood her body. Reflex and skill dominated her movements. She didn't think or speak, she moved.

Swiftly she sent a series of punches to his front and while he hurriedly blocked them she twisted her body into a sidekick. This unbalanced him long enough for her to grab his right arm twist him over and fall to the floor with her on top of him. She whispered into his ear,

'End of round one.'

She held him underneath her for three seconds with her padded hands, and then finally released him and watched him get up. He had a dark look in his eyes, not angry but slightly accusing. She read his mind and found that he believed that she had been holding back in the beginning so that she could surprise him later. Dahlia thought he must be too angry to think.

Where did he think he was enrolling? This is a professional place and he should have expected the best. He attacked her again with his hands and she blocked almost lazily until he gave her a kick straight to her heart, she held his foot mid kick before it had touched her and twisted it around until he fell back down on the ground. Almost immediately he was up again and lunging with a spinning kick and a few punches.

She was surprised not only by his determination but his pace and skill. He was one of the best kickers she had every seen, using variation and quality technique. They kept going as she got tired of blocking as started to fight back. She was going to end this NOW. They were both getting tired and she had had enough when suddenly she was busy punching his shoulder and he slammed a fist into her face. She was shocked still when another padded fist slammed into her abdomen throwing her back onto the spongy floor. She stared in disbelief at his lean form standing above, not grinning but a sort of half smile adorning his face.

Dahlia was angry. It wasn't the passionate unreasonable type of anger but a cold torrent or pride that overcame her. She kicked back from the floor slapping his face with her foot. He was surprised and she kicked again and again, not letting him react. Finally after many kicks, she kicked one more time and he fell back on the ground. She flipped up and looked down at him.

He was bruised in the face from her kicks. She had forgotten he was only a human! How could I have done that? I shouldn't have done that. Just because he beat me once does not make that acceptable. Dahlia was horrified at herself and she offered a hand to help him up. Dain declined and got to his feet, giving her an angry glare. All remorse forgotten she stood waiting for him to bow, which he did. She then returned his bow and stated simply,

'I'm sorry. You've lost.'

He stood waiting for a moment looking at her, until Master Nagini broke the silence. Clapping his hands, the whole of the hall joined him. Dahlia broke her gaze with Dain and looked around her seeing appreciation and admiration from all her friends and teachers.

It was one of the best fights Master Nagini had seen from Dahlia. The couple on the mats had been very evenly matched and it was an engaging fight, which had held the audience enraptured with awe. Surely for that he deserved to join. He is obviously an accomplished fighter if he managed to keep Dahlia on her toes for around 20 minuets, and he takes defeat gracefully. Maybe he should make an exception for him. Nagini's mind was made up and he called out across the floor,

'The boy fought bravely, I think we should allow him to join. Who agrees with me?' Several shouts went up from the fringe of the hall in conformity. Naging smiled at Dahlia's incredulous face then swiftly she wiped all traces of thought from her face. A druid does not show feeling. They are one with the earth. She thought to herself.

Unwrapping her hand pads, as was customary she held out her hand to accept him into the brotherhood. Her face was blank and he could not read her. Grinning slightly she took her hand and suddenly sparks flew.

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Ok short chapter but more is coming in the next one. Yes Dain is her soulmate and this is where things start to happen. Keep tuned more is on the way. Please R&R it is much appreciated.