Chapter 7

Kazana has lived factionless her entire life, having been found by the rebels who strive to live without the faction system she becomes their new secret weapon. The plan is clear, choose dauntless, pass initiation, infiltrate the system, but what can she do when a certain leader sees through her façade? AU No War, One year after Tris' initiation.

Disclaimer: I do not own Divergent, but if I did I'd probably have enough money to buy Jai Courtney…so that's a nice thought.

2 months prior to initiation

Kazana's body did not belong to her, or at least that is how she currently felt. Her intestines were cruel unyielding chains, her stomach had sharp fangs that tore at its own flesh with relentless vigour. How could this be her body when it attacked her day and night? An almighty growl echoed from within, driven by starvation, a cannibal.

She hugged her body even tighter, hoping to squeeze out the hunger. Kazana had just managed to preserve enough energy earlier that day to train with Cain before he'd dismissed her after she stumbled back with the force of his blows, wretching bitter acid on to the ground. She envisioned herself as a great machine, spluttering forward and trying to fight the fatigue as the fuel left her, bone dry and empty.

Cocooning herself in a ragged shirt, she relished in her inability to smell, to taste, to feel, as her head throbbed angrily, it meant the putrid smell of the worn cotton could not disturb the dreams she so craved.

"Is she alright?" a timid voice asked, Kazana was too exhausted to find the presence of someone new alarming.

"Of course not," Evelyn bit back to the unknown girl.

"She is starving and dehydrated, we all are here, but with the increase of training…I just hope she can last till initiation."

Kazana just barely summoned the energy to open her eyes a fraction, a pair of stormy blue eyes stared back at her, etched with worry and concern.

The girl entwined her hand in Kazana's, softly stroking the skeletal fingers that she found there.

"She's a fighter; we'll make sure she sees it through."

Present day

5am had Kazana squinting with bleary eyes at the sunlight which streamed through the only window in the compound. She had been kept in the infirmary overnight due to the possibility of internal bleeding, the results had come back clear much to her relief. Lifting her arms up over her head, Kaz savoured the clicks of her jointsas she stretched her body as far as it would go, unable to contain a satisfied moan as her achy muscles sort relief in the simple movement.

Rolling off the soft mattress, she stripped off the gown that had been thrust upon her the previous evening. Her clothes lay folded on the chair beside her and Kazana noted that the nurses must have laundered the attire which had been ridden with blood and sweat.

She slipped the trousers on without a second thought, but frowned when they stopped short at mid-thigh. Kazana tugged again but was unable to pull them any higher, waddling over to the full length mirror on the other side of the ward she gasped as two weeks finally caught up with her.

Where the bones in her hips has been sickeningly prominent, they now looked altogether softer. Her eyes, although black and blue from the beating, no longer appeared sunken in her face, just wide and curious. Although more progress had to be made before Kazana was anywhere near a healthy frame, everything looked fuller, stronger.

Reluctant to waste the early hours, Kaz stepped out of the trousers hastily and ran from the infirmary with her hospital gown whipping around her legs. Had she not been fuelled by crazed excitement she might have considered the possibility of someone catching her in such a state. It was only when she heard distant voices bounce off the walls around her that she came to a panicked halt.

"Their training starts at 8, as usual. As to which one of you wants to join Peter with the transfers, that is entirely up to you."

Max's smooth baritone followed her ears as she squeezed in to a tight opening at the entrance of the dormitories.

"With all due respect sir, I think we both ought to look over the transfers. I myself work better with them and as it is Tris' first year she will need some assistance in the matter," the voice belonged to a young man, but his tone spoke of experience far beyond his years.

"Impossible I'm afraid, Peter has been overseeing their training so far, and to move him now would only be detrimental to their progress," Max assured, a murmuring of voices followed as the young man conversed with the female who Kazana decided must be Tris.

"I will work with Peter then, Four will help Eric and Lauren with the Dauntless Borns and we'll take it from there."

Tris sounded so calm, so sure, nobody would guess that she had been a initiate herself only a year prior to the conversation.

"Three trainers is highly unusual for one group, I understand however that Eric has more pressing matters to attend to at current. I will speak with him about withdrawing from the Dauntless Born's training and overseeing both groups instead."

Max's words were met with hums of agreement and the tell-tale sound of retreating footsteps beckoned Kaz out of hiding before he spoke again.

"The trip went well I presume? Did you both make progress?" he asked, his voice hushed yet demanding.

Kazana peaked her head out in time to see the young man Four standing in front of Tris in an almost protective stance, he was everything Edward had described to her but he seemed more stern, more troubled than the image in her head.

"It did, but we will save the details for when we are in a more private setting," Four confirmed, they exchanged nods and went their separate ways.

Kaz took the opportunity to pad in to the dormitories, relieved by the sound of soft snores as she went to pick up the larger clothes Sophie had given her on her first day.

Discarding the gown on her bed, Kazana attempted to loosely braid her long knotted hair whilst hurrying down to The Pit. She had to admit herself surprised at what a ghost town the compound became in the early hours, but as protectors of the city, it made sense that a majority of Dauntless members should be night owls.

If there was one thing Kazana believed was neglected in the training sessions, it was an efficient warm up. She ran around the entire expanse of the area, picking up speed as she went, allowing the burn in her thighs and the racing of her heart to signal her on to the stretch.

"In order to become a proficient fighter, you must first know yourself. You must find your inner strength, otherwise referred to as your 'Chi'"

One deep breath in. Kazana allowed her bare feet to slide along the cold cement until she was in a wide side split. One deep breath out. She walked her hands forward until her body was flat against the floor. One deep breath in. She pulled her legs together and in to a crouch, slowly lifting her body in to a handstand. One deep breath out. Kazana lowered her legs and arched her back in to a deep bend, a contortion that had taken years of practice.

Her routine continued on for another hour and a half, two weeks without stretching had her body moaning in protest. Despite the initial discomfort, Kazana felt revitalized, efficient nutrition and a steady sleeping pattern made her stronger than she'd ever been before.

What doubts had plagued her mind the previous night were exhaled out in to the cool morning air as Kaz slowly opened her eyes and ushered herself out of a cross legged stance. A meditation pose she had picked up from all her years of studying.

"Impressive."

Vesper's husky tone called from the entrance above, the tall girl sauntered down the steps and came to peer down at Kazana with a curious smile.

"I heard about the fight, the others were asking after you. It's time for breakfast come on" her luminescent violet waves swung with each step as she walked away and Kazana followed after quickly, grabbing her jacket from a nearby target.

"How long were you standing there?" Kazana asked, irritated that she hadn't sensed another initiate; she had been trained better than that.

Vesper threw a smirk over her shoulder as they turned the corner in to the food hall. "Long enough," she replied cryptically, taking her usual seat beside Turf who was engrossed in his meal.

Having missed dinner the night before due to her injuries, Kaz had no hesitations in piling her plate up with pancakes and topping them with assorted meats.

Shovelling the food in to her mouth she looked up to see Four and Tris entering the hall, various members greeted them with slaps on the back and a few hugs. Her eyes drifted away from the couple to the man storming in after them, his entire body tense as if ready to spring at any moment.

The dauntless leaders, trainers and other high ranking members were all seated at the same table which was a rare occurrence. Kazana guessed this must mean they had important business to discuss, business she had to get in on.

Eric seated himself as far away from the two new trainers as possible, he looked up and his scowl deepened when he caught her stare. Kazana felt her face heat up unwillingly as he watched her from tables away; he looked away from her suddenly as if her very presence was a hindrance to him.

"Sweet, sweet girl! You have returned to me once more!" Wes cried as he sat himself beside Kazana and wrapped his face in her hair. Kaz grinned and pushed him away, trying to ignore the overwhelming sense of belonging that she got from in such moments. It was weakness, and she couldn't afford to be weak.

Wes' dopey smile dropped when he met Vesper's stare, and Kaz could not help but find similarities between he and herself. To be caught so off guard by the presence of another, for your very sense of being to disappear just by one look, she was only glad that the one person who could affect her like this was no longer interested.

"Well look who finally crawled out of hiding," Kazana looked up to find Solomon sneering down at her, Bernie was situated just behind, smiling up at him adoringly.

"I'd have thought you'd have more sense, after the thrashing I gave you yesterday," he was met with stony silence as Kaz watched him unblinkingly.

His arrogant demeanour seemed to falter slightly as he received no response, unnerved by her unyielding stare he turned instead to the timid candor by her side.

"Ready to join your friend amongst the factionless?" he questioned Lisa with a cruel smirk "You two will make a great c-" his next words were cut off as Wes pushed back from the table, the bench scraped along the floor moving every initiate with it.

Standing to his full height he looked down at Solomon, large and menacing. "I think it's time you leave the ladies alone," he spoke calmly, Vesper leaned forward and watched the exchange, her eyes alight as the tension in the air was tangible.

Solomon swallowed loudly, his faced had paled slightly but he refused to look away. He simply backed off a few steps and took a seat in his usual place with Bernie trailing on behind him. Wes continued to watch him for a few moments before sitting down, his own thoughts so distracted he failed to notice the pair of electric green eyes that gazed at him with newfound respect.

8am had the transfers making their way down to The Pit, a hand on Kazana's shoulder stopped her from going any further but the tell-tale scent of smoky jasmine alerted her to Vesper's presence. The girl picked up her wrist, and kissed the inside of it, pale skin marred with the blood red stain. "Give them hell" Vesper whispered before winking at her and flouncing off to join the Dauntless borns.

"Initiates!" Peter announced dramatically as they all filed down the stairs and came to stand in front of the chalk board facing away from them. Beside him stood Tris, small but very much aware of her power, her face impassive as she scanned the group. Kazana couldn't be sure, but she felt that the young woman's eyes lingered on her for a little longer than was required and she hoped this was due to nothing more than that bruises on her face.

"You are half way through your training, I am joined here today by someone who will be helping me to decide your fate" Kazana did not miss the way he phrased this, Peter was not one to relinquish what little power he had. "I have here your current rankings, and know now that once you have a place on the board it is very difficult to move" his eyes drifted to Kazana and he smirked, turning the board around slowly to face the group.

1 Wes

2 Solomon

3 Bernie

4 Harry

5 Jared

6 Mia

7 Fay

8 Lisa

9 Kaz

She knew this would happen, Kazana knew exactly what to expect, but that did not stop the feeling of dread that churned in her stomach as she stared at her name in last place. Her eyes did not leave the board in front; she did not want to acknowledge the sad glances the other initiates gave her.

"Well that settles that" Peter clapped his hands together and beckoned for Tris to bring forward a new board. She did so with haste, her lips pursed in distaste at Peter's demands.

"We cannot access the armoury until later on today so fights will be first thing," protesting whines called out and Peter glared at the culprits as he dragged the board out of Tris' grasp.

"Any more complaining and you can all stay behind to scrub the floors tonight, is that clear?" he spat, and was met with assenting silence.

Bernie vs Jared

Fay vs Lisa

Mia vs Harry

Wes vs Kazana

What little composure Kazana had, left when she saw who she was paired against. She had wanted to make an exhibition, to prove her strength to the trainers and her fellow initiates; she was just sorry it had to be against Wes.

It was not fear that had her frowning at her large as life friend, but sadness that he would be the one to experience her wrath.

He caught her gaze and moved to catch her hand in his, his eyes spoke the words he could not voice, "I'll take it easy on you."

Kazana shook her head at him, her voice lost as the group made their way to the ring. Everyone stripped off their outer layers and the first pair made their way on to the platform.

Bernie seemed to take a leaf out of Solomon's book as she bit, scratched and tore her way to victory, leaving Jared blood soaked and shaking. Kaz did not miss the way Tris watched the fight with undisguised horror, the girl had been formerly abnegation after all.

Relief washed over Kazana as Lisa managed to land a few solid punches in to Fay's stomach, leaving the stubborn candor panting on the ground. It didn't take a lot for her to concede and the win would gain her friend some points, even if it wasn't enough to save her from exile.

The fight between the two Erudites was tense to say the least, two best friends battling each other for success. Harry's common sense seemed to kick in after the rankings had made it clear nobody was safe, Mia was knocked to the ground in a matter of minutes, choking and spluttering from a particularly vicious knife hand.

She stared up at her friend in betrayal; the word 'karma' seemed to come to mind as Kazana watched the exchange of looks.

It took Kazana a few moments to realize that everyone was staring at her now; even Peter did not say a word as Wes took to the ring and waited patiently for his opponent to join him. Sweet, Simple Wes, he didn't have a bad bone in his body and it wasn't fair that things had to happen this way. Kaz gazed down at her wrist which still bore the sticky red gloss of Vesper's kiss, 'but life isn't fair' she decided, climbing up to join her friend.

Wes was the first to move, he threw himself at her, big and brutish it would wind her in an instant. She did not step away but instead moved towards him at a similar pace, grabbing him by both shoulders she lifted herself at lightning speed, escaping his grasp and using his surprise to her advantage as she flipped herself round in the air and landed with a spinning back kick to his solar plexus.

Ignoring the gasps that surrounded her, Kazana wasted no time in sliding across the floor and under his legs. Wes turned to face her but did not foresee her attack as she jumped up on to his shoulders, her thighs tightening around his neck. Using her core, she wrenched herself to the side sending him toppling over on to his back, he groaned as his head smacked on to the ground. Wes attempted to grab her then whilst she was in close proximity but she simply rolled backwards off him, she took hold of his ankle and the movement seemed to catch everyone off guard including himself as she pressed deeply in to his Achilles heel.

She squeezed, he roared out in pain and toppled forward to stop her. To those watching everything seemed to happen in a flash, but to Kazana it was a lifetime, she counted. The banging of the staff, the rhythmic sound fuelled her every movement.

One, he bent forward, she head dived over his back and rolled, landing in a crouch to face him, her eyes sharp and dangerous. Two, he stomped down with his foot, ready to clobber her, Kaz pulled out the big guns and arched out of the crouch, back flipping to safety. Three, they stood facing each other, his chest heaved and his breath came out in large gruff pants, he drew back his elbow and sent a fierce punch to her face.

Four, she deflected the punch with her left arm and in what seemed to be a millisecond, a fraction of time, a single heartbeat, she twisted her body away from him and threw her leg up in to a complete split. Kazana's foot hit him directly in the temple, and in a moment the platform shook with the impact, as Wes' body hit the floor.

Not a sound followed, Kaz looked up and around at her fellow initiates. Each and every one of them stared up at her in a mixture of awe and confusion but each expression held the same question, "Who are you."

Taking the initiative, Kazana began to drag Wes' lifeless body off the platform and in to the crowd. Peter's mouth continued to open and close like a fish out of water, Tris was the first to move forward to help; grabbing the huge boy's other arm she smiled over at Kaz warmly. Kazana could not return the look as she stared down at her friend, a dead weight in her arms, she felt like she had attacked an innocent puppy.

Tris let go of the young man and turned to face the initiates, having decided that Peter would not be much use for a good while.

"Right, that's it for now. Break for lunch and we'll meet back here in half an hour," she looked over at her fellow trainer and noted the way the initiates continue to stare at Kazana like she was a foreign creature.

"Make that an hour."

Eric was not happy. Following the infuriating events of the previous day he had been approached by Max that morning and told to take a break from training the initiates. He would be called in to oversee their progress on the odd occasion but now that the wonderboy was back his services were no longer required.

Stabbing his fork in to the steak on his place he began to saw at the meat viciously with his knife, all the while never taking his eyes off the man who'd returned to replace him.

Lunch could not have come sooner as he had been stuck in meeting after meeting since dawn, the endless contracts and tiresome discussions had Eric wondering why he had taken the leadership role in the first place. If he had wanted to be stuck in boardrooms each day he would have chosen Erudite, God damn it!

Eric rolled his eyes as the Stiff's expression melted in to a ridiculous smile as Tris took a seat opposite him; this left him in perfect earshot for the conversation that followed.

"I'll bet you a week's worth of Dauntless cake your morning was not quite as interesting as mine" Tris teased, leaning over to pinch a cherry tomato from Tobias' plate.

Tobias quirked a brow and leaned in to her,

"No bet in the world would have me risking my share of Dauntless Cake, what happened?" Eric continued to rip in to his food but managed to tune out the voices of other members to catch her next words.

"Kaz happened," Tris declared, her voiced lilted with amusement.

Had Eric not been so eager to hear her account of the morning, he might have questioned why Tris and Tobias were so well aware of the girl, having only arrived that morning.

Tobias simply nodded for her to continue and Tris leaned in a little closer to do so.

"She was paired against number one today an-" her next words were lost when a group of Dauntless born initiates ran in to the hall, laughing and shouting they made their way straight to Kazana's table.

"THERE SHE IS! THE DARK HORSE HERSELF!" Eric heard the girl with violet hair cry, slapping Kaz on the back and grinning.

"EVERYONE STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING, WE GOT A BADASS OVER HERE!" another boy with a tall red Mohican shouted, his hands framing his mouth to amplify his words.

Eric leaned in to the man to his right, Tris has begun to whisper directly into Tobias' ear and he knew they would not be any more use for information.

"Tate, is there a reason your brother is screaming the roof off the place" he drawled, though his eyes never left the raven haired girl who was staring intently at her food, her brows furrowed in displeasure.

Tate was watching the display with a grin.

"You really don't know Eric, man?" He called over the excited mutters that were echoing off the walls.

"Would I have you asked that question if I did?" Eric grit out, his tedious morning and the ceaseless caws of the other dauntless members had his patience thinning. Tate did not seem bothered by the man's irritation and simply flashed him a row of pearly white teeth, nodding his head over to the girl that Eric was already staring down with burning intent.

"The Amity chick took out number one today, he's in the infirmary at the moment but that boy is built like a tank!" Tate guffawed and took a bite out of his chicken, spraying food everywhere as he continued on excitedly.

"We're talking flying back kicks, flips, she actually knocked him out cold with one hit!" Another dauntless member at their table seemed to catch on to the conversation and began to chatter eagerly with Tate about the fight.

Kazana knew her victory would not be a quiet affair, but she didn't think word would get around quite as fast as it did. People she had never spoken to her in her life were congratulating her, embracing her, some had even challenged her to leisurely fights which she politely declined. She tried to eat her lunch with haste, eager to get over to the infirmary and see how Wes was doing before training continued.

Drowning out the voices of her fellow initiates, Kaz felt her body crawl with awareness as she looked up and met a pair of ashen eyes. Despite the commotion around her, Kazana felt in that moment as if everyone in the room had melted away leaving nothing but her and the man who watched her not with the disgust she had seen earlier that morning, but with what could only be described as hunger.

Eric looked at her in those few heartbeats like a large cat who had found his next meal; his eyes appeared almost as black as hers as they watched each other, their gazes never faltering. With nothing left to hide, Kazana straightened in her seat and raised a single brow,

Happy now?

He leaned forward in his seat nostrils flaring ever so slightly, his rough hands spread wider on the table in front, his long fingers clawed in to the table as he saw the challenge in her eyes. Narrowing his own, he allowed a slow predatory smile to curve his lips.

Little Bat, you have no idea.