AN. We've skipped ahead a little again. Tien is maybe, 12? I think? I haven't actually put his age so far as I can remember, so we'll go with 12. Still too little to be entered into tournaments, not little enough to stop training for them. Enjoy!

Chapter Fourteen

Chiaotzu was pushed sharply backwards, flying through the air until he connected hard with the dormitory building. He slid until he was sitting on the ground, holding his stomach with one hand as he blinked up at the ring. Tien was standing there, tall and broad, not showing any concern on his face. He had struck Chiaotzu once in the stomach to send him flying from the ring, the lightest punch he could manage to generate enough force. This was still quite a lot and Chiaotzu's stomach muscles were aching from the assault.

Shen stood on the outside of the ring, his face inscrutable as always. Tien had been sparring all afternoon, sending other students out of the ring with simple attacks which came faster than most eyes could see, preparing for tournament fights. Eventually Shen had called Chiaotzu from his meditation and told them to spar using their fists only. This put Chiaotzu at a significant disadvantage. He was used to using the combination of fists, telepathy and ki attacks to defeat his enemies. His physical strength alone was generally easily overcome.

Shen had never asked Tien and Chiaotzu to spar before. They had always been either fighting side-by-side or training in separate disciplines. Tien had sparred with other students or their masters, fighting people who were more matched to his level.

They had stood in the ring opposite each other, Tien slightly crouched with his hands positioned in the Crane style, Chiaotzu standing with his arms by his sides and his muscles invisibly and strategically tensed.

And then Chiaotzu had been flying through the air and wound up sitting against the wall, holding his stomach, looking up at the triclops who stood where he had been just a moment before.

Shen's mouth twisted down in the corners and he straightened his spine.

"Not good enough, Tienshinhan."

Tien's mouth dropped open and he flung one hand towards where Chiaotzu was slowly getting to his feet, grimacing at the pain in his stomach.

"B-but, Master, I defeated him!"

"Incorrect. You pushed him out of the ring."

Chiaotzu's eyes widened ever so slightly as he looked over at the old man. What did that mean? For the most part being pushed out of the ring was a defeat, at least in tournaments. True, if he was performing an assassination (he hadn't had to yet, thank Kami) he would have to do more than that, but he was pretty sure that Shen had told them to treat this as a tournament.

"That would be enough to win, but not to strike the fear of the Crane into your opponent. Again."

Chiaotzu lifted up into the air and flew back to the ring, keeping his emotions down and his face blank. He could see concern in Tien's eyes, but thought that the emotion would be invisible to anyone else looking. Tien was a quiet and solemn person, unless he was being sarcastic and arrogant. At that point he would express sardonic glee, which grated terribly on most other people.

They resumed their fighting stances but didn't engage. They were both waiting for Shen's instruction.

"Now, knock him down."

Their eyes locked. Tien's lips tightened. Chiaotzu's hands started to shake and he pressed them hard against his legs to keep them still. He didn't have time to raise his hands to protect himself before Tien darted forward, slamming his elbow into Chiaotzu's stomach. He lifted his hands and was unable to prevent his power from spreading and grabbing hold of the triclops.

He usually directed his energy around the stomach, squeezing hard and compressing vital organs to illicit debilitating pain, like a ruptured appendix. But this time he instinctively protected his brother and his power wrapped around the boy's wrists instead, immobilising him in his fighting stance.

"Chiaotzu, only fists."

Chiaotzu lightly bit his lower lip and lowered his hands, the bands of his power falling away. Tien didn't move for a moment, looking at his wrists.

"Knock him down."

The words were weighted, a short pause between them. Tien nodded and this time when his eyes met Chiaotzu's there was no concern there. Chiaotzu steeled himself and then Tien was upon him again, striking for his trunk with blows that, while powerful, were only a fraction of his true strength. He felt his knees collapse from a blow to the back and had a brief moment to wonder how the triclops had gotten behind him before he sprawled on the stone slabs.

"Good. Now, strike fear into his heart."

Chiaotzu lay very still, not daring to move an inch as he looked up at Tien's confused face. He could see that Tien understood, that he knew what Shen meant, but he played dumb.

"Master?"

Shen's voice was cold. "You know what I mean. Strike him while he's down, make sure he never forgets the might of the Crane."

Tien nodded, then clenched his two normal eyes shut, the third fixing on Chiaotzu. He drew back his leg and kicked Chiaotzu hard in the side, catching the telepath's arm in the strike.

Chiaotzu let out a choked scream as he heard a sharp crack, his arm bending unnaturally and pain exploding through him. Black dots swarmed in front of his vision as his voice tapered off to an almost silent croak.

"Good, Tienshinhan," Shen said and his voice seemed to come from very far away.

Chiaotzu was aware of the blood rushing in his ears; the sound reminded him of the ocean. His right hand reached across his chest and fumbled at his own arm, feeling the pain as the bones shifted and grated against each other.

Tien was looking down at him, not moving a muscle. He could see the pain and the horror in those dark eyes, the disgust in what he had done.

"You are indeed my star pupil."

"Master…may I?" Tien started to reach for Chiaotzu before Shen's response came.

"No. Leave him."

Chiaotzu gritted his teeth and clenched his eyes shut against the look on Tien's face. There was sorrow there, but also obedience. Tien wasn't going to help him. Even though his arm was broken, even though the triclops had broken it, he wasn't going to help.

Chiaotzu got shakily to his feet, holding his arm against his side and struggling to catch his breath. Every movement jarred at him, sending fresh waves of agony through his small body.

Tien wouldn't meet his eyes, his face turned resolutely away, and Chiaotzu felt tears starting to slide down his cheeks before he could stop them. He dipped his head in a bow, aware that if he didn't then he would be in a lot of trouble, then without waiting to be dismissed turned and flew from the ring, heading out of the valley and into the range of mountains to the south. He didn't want to be anywhere near the Crane School, his masters, or his brother. He needed to be alone.

AN. I'm so mean to poor little Chiaotzu :( Ah well, cruel to be kind. Or, you know, more cruel. All turns out okay though, I promise! Will see you next time :)