One by one Soliel's opponents fell. Not once did she use a weapon and each mode of attack was unique. Ichimaru was the only one whose flame she blocked. She was angry with how she had let her emotions influence her actions. What would she have done if the Commander had not ended the match then and there? In those few moments she had no control over her emotions and was sure that if they had allowed her to keep fighting she might have killed the man. For the first time she could remember she felt no sympathy towards a fellow fire bender. I wouldn't have stopped. I would have kept fighting until he lay dead before me...why? Why do I feel like he is to blame?

The recruits and commanders watched in awe as she beat every opponent she was put up against until there were no more recruits. Her mind and conscience fought inwardly until she no longer saw recruits as her opponents but her very feelings and emotions.

"Soliel, that's enough. You've managed to win the tournament, congratulations and good work all of you. I've seen a lot of good things today, I will post the Elite team members tomorrow. Hit the showers!"

"Yes Sir!"

No I still have chi I need to burn! I can't stop or else the pain...

"Did you not hear me Sunshine? Get out of here!"

"I'm sorry Sir but I can't stop just yet, my chi needs to be released and I need to..."

"Need to what? I can't hear you when you mumble, speak up!"

"Yes Sir! It's nothing!"

Soliel ran towards the barracks, I shouldn't expect special treatment, the men are tired and fighting me in order to release my chi is unimportant. There has to be something I can do...

Soliel looked around as she walked back towards the palace and after a few minutes she noticed a training room. Eyes brightening, she walked over and peered inside. The walls were lined with every kind of equipment imaginable. There were areas meant to increase strength, agility, weaponry and an open floor space that looked like it was mean for sparing. Smiling, Soliel stepped inside and moved towards the floor space. Taking off her outer shirt and tunic she stood in the middle of the room silent for a few minutes. Then as though the perfect moment had arrived she leapt into the air and began a passionate and intricate dance. It was an ancient ceremonial dance that was usually preformed at the Feast of the Harvest. It was a sign of gratitude to the gods for granting them food and success in that year. Although it was not harvest Soliel felt that the small victory today was worthy of the dance and allowed her body to develop each movement to its fullest. Most people viewed dance as an entertainment, a leisure activity but to Soliel it was another form of training and a way to express her innermost feelings and desires. Combat was in a sense its own dance, each movement was met if not mirrored by your opponent and each of your movements had to flow seamlessly into the next or you would loose the rhythm. As a child, when Agni was free to move about the mortal world he would take Soliel to Glacial Lands in the north to watch the water benders. She was mystified by the fluidity of their movements and how even in battle they looked as if they were dancing. Wanting to be just like them Soliel copied their movements and would pretend her blue flame was water.

"Look Baba! I'm a water bender, see?"

"Haha yes dear one, you certainly look like water bender but never forget: you're a fire bender through and through. Never loose sight of that darling, no matter what anyone tells you, fire is a part of you and always will be."

Fire is a part of me...I am an extension of the flame and my flame is an extension of me...fire is life...it warms...it heals...it strengthens...it energizes...it renews...without fire how would man exist? Soliel often repeated the mantra as she danced and allowed herself to meld her very existence with her flame to the point where she could no longer determine where she ended and her flame began. As her breathing increased and her heart rate sped Soliel quickened her movements until suddenly she stopped. Fire was abrupt, and sudden, as was death and how better to end a dance that embodied life than with a quick and decisive ending. Within the dance, Soleil could sort out her muddled thoughts and correct her thinking and with the ending of it she could put to rest her anxious mind. She stood for a moment pleased and still breathless from the experience, then her eyes widened and she fell to her knees. A pain, unlike any she had felt yet, tore through her abdominal muscles and into her chest cavity. She could feel her heart struggling to keep up with the strain and for a moment she feared it would stop completely. After a few moments the pain lessened to where she could stand and she slowly made her way out of the training room. Her eyes looked up only to determine where she was heading but otherwise remained fixed on the ground. If she had looked up she might have seen the man standing in the shadows watching her leave. He had seen everything, the performance at the training grounds, the anger, the dance, and her collapse. His eyes followed her even still as the proud warrior walked back wounded.