"I think Four may be trying to kill you, C."

Cal frowns at her brother, and Four (who only stands a few feet away) shoots Syn a disapproving look.

It's the final day of fighting and, although Cal was confident before she isn't sure how she feels now. Her lessons with Eric during her free time proved to improve her overall fighting. She felt stronger than before, and was able to end most of her fights by swinging first. (This surprised her brother, who loudly hooted and hollered the first time she rushed someone). But despite improving, she still wasn't to grasp a firm hand in actually hurting or subduing Eric. He toyed with her, and she noticed his amusement in her flushed face and quick anger.

KITTEN.

Cal was breathing heavy, her elbow resting on her knees as she ducked her head into her chest. Eric was sitting on across from her on the mat, his breathing was steady in contrast to her own, and only a light sweat coated his forehead. A drop of blood fell, landing on the mat with a soft thump. Cal lifted her head and wiped her hand underneath her nose, sniffing loudly.

"I'll get you one day."

Eric lifted his head, lifting a brow in confusion.

Cal wiped the blood on her hands over her tank top, pulling a face as she did so, "I'll get you one day."

She lifted her hand again, tapping her cheek with her index finger, "Right here, leaving a nice colorful bruise."

Eric pauses for a moment before chuckling, "You know what a panther is, Cal?"

Her breath catches in her throat the moment he says her name. During her lessons he had referred to her as either initiate or kitten, and hearing her name leave his lips made her heart beat faster. But she acknowledged his words, and racked her brain for an image.

"Big, scary, black cat?" She's unsure, she didn't always pay attention well enough during classes.

She flinches when he reaches forward, grasping a few strands of her straight, black hair. He moved it aside, looking at the scar that ran along the back of her jaw and behind her ear.

"You remind me a lot of a panther, Kitten."

She smacks his hand away, indignantly, "Stop calling me that!"

CAL VS CAINE

"Come on, Cal," Four motions her to step onto the mat where Caine is already jumping on his feet. She takes a deep breath and steps up, Eric and Four stand side-by-side close by. This is their last fight, their last ranked fight for stage one.

Cal has only lost two fights, the fight against her brother and a fight against Ben. The rest of her fights seemed to get better and better, but Caine was undoubtley strong. He was a good head taller than her, and like almost everyone else, had gained muscle from the day-in and day-out workouts.

"You're quick, use that to your advantage. Don't run, strike."

As soon as she's given the okay to begin the fight she does. Caine bounces on his feet while she rushes forward, her hand balled into a fist. She lets out a huff of air when he turns his head, her knuckles graze his cheek.

"If you miss, continue with the rest of your body. A knee or an elbow helps throw them off before they throw you off."

Cal twists around, bringing her foot up and back before she slams it roughly into Caine's hip.

"Knees and hips will throw of balance, stomach and chest will make them loose air, and a kick to the head is sure to knock them out - but you may be a little too short for that, kitten."

He falls, a strangled cry echoing in the large room. She jumps on her feet lightly, waiting for Caine to make another move. Eric would've scolded her, telling her she should have struck him while he was already down. She knows, because he scolded her on not doing so when they practiced and when he asked. But the reddening of Caine's cheeks and the way his breathing seemed to increase to a tenfold told her that she hadn't just hurt him, she's enraged him.

She doesn't have enough time to react when Caine rushes her, his arms wrapping around her hips as he tackles her to the floor. She gulps for air when she lands, her back screaming and sore.

"You're small - "

"You keep saying that, Eric."

"Well am I wrong? Look at how small you are, Kitten."

"Call me that again and -"

"Like I was saying you're small, so your ground game will be faster than everyone elses. You just have to seize the opportunity."

"Seize what opportunity?"

"The opportunity to escape and retaliate."

An angry cry leaves her own lips as she twists and turns, trying to break free of Caine's rough hold. His head is ducked down, with one arm holding her waist and the other swinging maliciously at her ribs.

"Come on, Cal."

Four's voice brings her back from her panic, and as soon as the words of encouragement leave his mouth she hears more from the others. Her brother is talking to her, Tatum is clapping his hands loudly and she can hear Sonny pleading with her to get him off of her.

She fidgtings, squirming against Caine while using her knees to thrash upwards towards his thighs. She breaks an arm free and brings her elbow down on Caine's temple as hard as she can. He immediately falls off of her and onto the mat beside her with a thump. Cal groans herself, her stomach hurts so bad she feels she might vomit. Her eyes drag over to Four and Eric.

Four looks like he's pleased with the fight, at least he was cheering for Cal - right?

Eric on the other hand, has a from on his lips. Cal has never been good with reading people, and honestly Eric was no exception to this. If anything, he was harder to read than anyone she's ever met. Was he upset that she won? Maybe upset she didn't take in all his advice? Did she do something wrong?

Apparently, she did.

The taste of blood fills her mouth as her head snaps to the side, she's out before she feels the second blow Caine aims at her face.

SHOULD'VE KICKED HIM WHILE HE WAS DOWN.

"So, I won?"

Four nods his head, giving Cal a half hearted smile, "Despite him knocking you unconscious, you technically did it first. After the hit to the temple he was out for a couple seconds."

Cal breaths, dropping her fork beside her plate, "Thank god."

Four chuckles at her relief.

"I knew you could do it," Syn speaks up with a face full of food, a couple pieces of egg drop from his mouth as he speaks and Tatum makes a noise of disgust while Ben tries to hid his smile behind his cup of juice, "You're my sister after all."

"Seriously?" Tatum motions towards Syn's face, who looks confused at the gesture.

"Well, enjoy your day off," Four stands up, but a hint of a laugh lingers on his face, "Make sure you rest up."

"Why would we rest up on our day off?" Syn asks, he has food all over his chin now.

Cal elbows her brother's side and more eggs fly his lips, this time landing on the muffin Tatum had on his plate.

"Really, you two?!"

AUTHORS NOTE

Thank you PenforPerfection for your review!

I do have a question for my readers. I've about 4 more chapters already written but I'd like to know something.

What fears do you think someone like Cal would have? Or what fears would you like to see her have?

I have 6 already, but I would like 3 or 4 more fears for her.

Thank you for reading!