The Umgadi Problem

by Kyze Larion

All firstborn daughters by tradition are forfeit to the Umgadi. Why should she be any different? A series of events explaining Mileena's honorary status as an Umgadi warrior.

3. Third Incident-Prove Yourself Kitana

Third Incident-Prove Yourself Kitana

The world was at peace right now, if only for a few breaths, to a small child. Weightless in the air, as her legs drifted above her, and she sailed through the sky, courtesy of her elder sister. She knew the instant this peaceful ride was over, she was going to be in a world of pain.

"Mileena!" Their father's exceptional agility never failed to impress her. He had come from all the way across the observation room and managed to catch her before she hit the ground. "What have I told you about practicing on your sister? Just because you are twins does not mean we have two of you. We have no spare children. I am more than happy to be your sparring partner."

Safe in her father's arms, Kitana didn't mind putting on a brave face. "I don't mind father."

"I can't flip you father."

"You silly girl, it's not about flipping your opponent. It's about protecting yourself. If you can only protect yourself from people who are of no threat to you, it's rather pointless isn't it? I hope learning to flip someone isn't all you're getting out of your Umgadi training."

"Nope." She spun around on her heels and rocked. "I learn many things." In less than a blink, she was crouched down, balancing on one foot. Her other leg swept under Kitana's legs and stayed parallel the floor after completing the action. She held her hands in striking position.

It was no easy evade. Kitana was moving purely on instinct. They had practiced this move hundreds of times. The instant she felt Mileena's leg brush against her ankle, she threw herself backwards, landed on her hands, turned herself around while still upside down, and finally put her feet back to the ground. Normally she would land somewhat gracefully on her feet. This time, she stumbled and fell on her butt.

"I learned that, and taught Kitana that. She's getting better."

Her sister's praise brought a deep blush to her cheeks. "I'm very proud of both of you, but be careful. Try to save some of that energy for actual training. You'll be leaving sooner than usual this time."

A true reflection of the other's heart, her face dropped just as her sister's did. What she brought back from her time away was always exciting and fun, but the time they spent away from each other was boring and joyless. No matter how full or different her days were, without Mileena, she could rarely remember or find amusement in any activity. Upon her return, her emotions would be renewed with life, and even the most mundane of tasks would become wonderful.

Mileena had told her just as much, in less words. "I wish you could come." It was a three day trip to drop her off at the Umgadi training base. Their entire family would go, along with a few guards from the castle and the Umgadi themselves. Since it was a three day trip, and her parents couldn't really afford to disappear for an entire week, there was only a small greeting, then they were off again, barely having the chance to say goodbye. Sometimes, she didn't. A time or two she had fallen asleep during the last leg of the trip and had sadly missed the opportunity to give her sister a proper farewell. The pain of such a pitiful parting only need happen once before she vowed never again.

"Father...do you think, just this time, Kitana can come too?"

"No love. We've talked about this."

"But you're the king."

"Yes, I am. But, we're already asking a lot of them. They made an exception for you so you could stay here."

Mileena's entire demeanor changed, she wasn't even trying to hide it. "I know that." She smacked their father's comforting hand away. Her silence was accentuated by heavy, deliberate footfalls. She didn't look to either of them when she made her exit.

"Is something wrong?" He turned to her. "Has she said anything to you?"

"No."

"I know she gets terribly homesick, but it's just a couple months. I guess extending the time would be out of the question."

"Extending? She has to stay longer?"

"Don't you go getting all worked up too. It was just something we were pondering. We don't want her gone for longer, but her training is important. How much do you think you could learn if you only had lessons once a year?"

"A lot."

"Maybe you could." Much too big to be held like a baby, still she didn't resist. Wrapped up in her father's mighty arms, he carried her out and about, swinging her around and singing silly tunes. Until they ran into her mother.

"Honestly Jerrod. They aren't small children anymore. Where is Mileena? She knows we're leaving tomorrow doesn't she?"

Gently she was lowered and allowed to stand on her own. "I didn't get the chance to tell her, exactly that. I know they wanted her for longer, but she seems upset about something. We can't decline."

"I don't see why not. Not after," Her mother's soft hands directed her down the hall, away from them. "Go check on your sister."

They wouldn't resume speaking until she was well out of earshot. Thinking of the little she had heard, the idea of being without her sister for even longer than usual was just too unbearable. It was just two months, two agonizing, slow, exhausting, unremarkable months. Transport wasn't even calculated in that time. It was really from the time she was dropped off, until the end of the month. Kitana didn't make the second journey, so she missed an extra three days. If they increased it by even one more week, she would be devastated.

Peeking in and out of rooms, she searched high and low for her sister. Mileena never went to her room when she was upset, she knew that would be the first place anyone went to look for her. She liked to switch things up, never going to the same place twice. Since no one but Kitana was looking for her, that was fine.

Drawn to the courtyard by a calming breeze, she was elated to find her twin there, practicing high kicks and low punches. Kitana called out to her from the stone steps. Mileena continued her exercises. Even when Kitana came running up behind her, she refused to turn around.

"Mileena, mother says, you're leaving tomorrow."

The shift in wind came before and after her fist had stopped in her face. Perfect control, and excellent form. There was no fear she would be struck, so she didn't mind being used as a training dummy. "That's too early. Did she say why?"

"No. But...they did mention you maybe, staying longer."

"What? It's already two months." She whined to her, as if Kitana had the power to change her fate.

"I don't think mom is going to agree."

Her twin's dejected face only partially perked up. Not happily, more in a mocking, spiteful sense. "But it's father who gets the final say. They will concede with him because he will say yes. He always does."

She roughly fell into the grass, further staining her training garb. Kitana sunk down beside her. The first thing she noticed was the empty far off stare on her sister's face. "I, I don't want you to go for longer either, but, I thought you liked training. You said it's...okay."

Twisting her body all the way around, so her back was facing her, Mileena spoke, with a quiver that wasn't there before. "I do, I do like the training. But it's not just training I do there. It's just, a big part. There's more to being Umgadi than fighting."

"Like what?" Watching her sister fold into herself, beckoned her touch. Seeking only to take some of her stress away from her, Kitana rubbed and poked her sister's back until she loosened up. "Like what?" She repeated.

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Umgadi only. I have to take my vows seriously."

"Mileena...I wouldn't tell anyone. I wouldn't get you in trouble."

"I wish you could stay, just for a little while. Even if it was just for a few hours. The second we get there...you, mother and father just leave me. Things have changed, they don't know. I can't tell them."

"Well, doesn't Li Mei tell them?"

"I'm not with her anymore. I haven't been for a while. She just likes to greet mother and father at the entrance."

"Who is your matron then?"

"Kitana...would you, would you, stay with me?"

"Huh? Mileena, I can't. Mother and father already said no, per Umgadi rules."

"Please Kitana...if you say yes, I'll work everything else out."

"You could? How?"

Her cheerful bright brown eyes had Kitana ready to agree to just about anything. She was snatched up from the ground and dragged to the royal carriage lot. Mileena stopped in front of the one her parents favored for delivering her to her obligation.

"I've been thinking about this for a long time. I can fit back here, and you're a little smaller than me. So you'll fit no problem. You won't need any clothes or anything, I can get you clothes when we get there. We all wear the same outfit. We'll put you food back there, and a blanket. Climb in and I'll show you the best part." With Mileena's help she crawled into the inventory space on the back of the carriage. Mileena closed the lid leaving Kitana alone for a moment. The whole carriage shook violently, frightening her. "Here Kitana, give me your hand through here."

It was dark, but with the little sliver of light she had, she was able to find Mileena's hand through a hole in the floor.

"It opens up here. If you need to pee or anything, you can reach up and grab my hand. I'll stop the carriage. You can open the back yourself."

Far from a tight fit, she could easily turn over, lie down or lean. The only thing she couldn't do with the lid closed was sit up. It wasn't horribly uncomfortable. It was just dark and rickety.

"It won't be so bad with a blanket. You promise not to say anything?" She nodded. "Sometimes I hide in here when mother and father go out, and I get to go with them. They never look back here. They've never caught me. And it's sturdy."

"What's the rest of this plan Mileena?"

"You tell mother and father you don't want to go. Just say you're tired or something. When we leave, sneak in. But leave a note for them so they know you're with me and you're okay. They might be upset, but they won't be super upset."

"You sure?"

"Yes. Three days there. Three to four days back. They're going to get home and be scared. But if they find your note, and know you're safe, they will calm down and just come get you. But that's a whole week of us hanging out. The matrons won't mind because, you're a princess. So it's not like they'll put you out. Mother and father might not rush back to get you. You may just get to stay for a few extra days."

"I'd have to lie to them?"

"No. I'd lie. You'd be telling them the truth, where you are and what you're doing. You're just going to spend a couple days with me. You want to, right?"

"Yes."

"Then this is what we'll do."

She hoped her face wasn't relaying her actual feelings about her sister's plan. She truly did want to go with her, she just wasn't confident in this execution. "How should I tell them? Should I say something tonight? Or right before you leave?"

"Do it tomorrow, act like you're just too tired to leave. Or eat a lot at dinner and say your tummy aches."

"Can I eat a normal amount of dinner and say my tummy aches?"

"No. They'll notice."

"Fine. If you're sure this will work. What should I pack?"

"Nothing. Just food. We'll get you fruits and water. It's just three days. If that's not enough I'll sneak you some of my food. It will go well. Everything will work. I'm sure of it."

As she wished, all of Mileena's woes had been transferred to her. Her sister was her bright bubbly self again, while Kitana was full of conflict and anxiety. She wasn't used to lying to her parents. She'd never been away from the castle for an extended period of time, without their parents. To Mileena this may have been nothing new, but to her, it was going to be quite the experience.

Hand in hand, they reentered their home being quickly found by their mother and father. "Oh good, there you are. Mileena, you heard your father say you're leaving earlier than usual right? Well, by earlier, he may have neglected to mention, that means tomorrow. We'll be leaving early in the morning. We have another meeting to make right after we drop you off, so unfortunately, Kitana you won't be able to go."

Their father must have read their side eye at one another as the beginning of a tantrum. "We know this is very different. But it has to be this way, this time."

"Mileena, is anything wrong? Your father said you seemed upset before?"

"No mother."

"We would have liked to discuss it with you first, but you're getting older. They feel it would benefit you more to spend more time with the Umgadi, or make more frequent trips. For as good as your training has been going, and as receptive as you are to your other lessons, they say you're only progressing in the confines of your situation."

"And we're very proud of you for that."

"However, you are very behind the other girls who stay full time."

Their father knelt down before Mileena, taking her hand out of Kitana's when he did. "It's making them question your honorary status, which is putting a strain on their favor with current leadership. Mileena, this is very important. It might not seem like it. But their support helps maintain a delicate balance. Like your mother and I, you hold many lives in your hand. It's a lot, I know. It's a heavy burden for sure. But you will do what is right for the people of Outworld? When you hold the throne, they will respect you more for your sacrifices."

It was only their father who spouted these inspiring speeches when he needed them to agree to things that might have been less than desirable to them. Kitana heard them just as often as Mileena, only because she was normally right beside her when their father began raving. If their mother was there and out of view, she was likely to be rolling her eyes. Only in secret had she told Kitana, that while she wanted to rule Outworld in a more peaceful manner, she believed they gave the people too much say over their lives. She would say, under the influence of her fruited spirits, that they practically lived in fear of the people they ruled over.

Focusing solely on her sister's lowered head, she didn't know if her mother was going through her usual annoyed faces or not. But her father definitely was giving Mileena his best sympathetic, pleading, princess please, smile.

"How long must I stay?"

"It won't be so long," His voice wavered in a questioning way.

"Don't lie to her Jerrod. They would like you to spend half as much time there as you do here. While you're still young, they believe half the year is adequate. After that, until you are to start preparing to succeed us, it will likely be a more, permanent situation."

"I, I wouldn't live here anymore?"

"Of course this would be your home. But you would spend a majority of the time there. You would be allowed to come see us, and we could come see you."

Knowing her sister like the back of her hand, she stepped aside and let her take off running down the hall. She stayed in her place staring angrily at her parents. Heat rose to her cheeks, and burned the back of her throat. Mileena wouldn't cry in front of her parents. Kitana didn't want to, but she couldn't believe they had made such a decision. It was much too extreme, no matter the reason.

Her mother volunteered to go after her, leaving Kitana alone, glaring at their father. His gentle, exhausted, disheartened smirk, wouldn't work on her.

"That's not how I wanted that to come out. Come now darling, don't look at me like that."

"Why are you sending her away for so long?"

"I've told you girls many times. As the first born daughter, it is her duty. It is not something I want. I take no joy in having her so far away." When she did not yield to his response, he continued. "There were no other alternatives that would have ended well for all of us. You're children now, you wouldn't understand. The adult world, sometimes is more fickle than yours. If Mileena can get over this pain now, she will be a great ruler, and maybe she will have the power to change the things she doesn't like. Before change, someone must endure." The first tear he wiped from her cheek unleashed a waterfall. "Don't think your pain is being ignored. I know I'm asking a lot of you too. She's like your other half. Forcing you to be apart for so long, it must hurt to your soul. I don't take that lightly Kitana. But I see how you handle it and I know your strength. Mileena, is not as strong as you in that way. Lend her your strength. Believe in her so she believes in herself."

His words hadn't fallen on deaf ears. He hadn't asked her to do anything she hadn't already planned to. She already believed her sister was great. Mileena was going to rule Outworld splendidly, and everyone would love her. She didn't need to go away for such a long time for that. She didn't even need to be Umgadi as far as their mother was concerned.

Any guilt she felt about tomorrow's plan was incinerated. She hoped he felt terrible. She wanted her father to feel every bit of fear possible, at the thought of losing her, when he was so willing to send one daughter away. She ran off to her room without dismissing herself.

Inside she slammed her door with enough force to shake the frame. At her vanity, across from her bed, sat Mileena. Her eyes were red, her cheeks were stained with tears. In her hand was a thin paintbrush.

"Are you alright?" Going to her side, she brought her sleeve to her face, cleaning it as best she could, until she was pushed away. "What are you doing?"

"Writing the note you're going to leave."

"You shouldn't leave one." She swung her arms around her neck. "Let them worry."

"No. If they worry, it might get someone else in trouble. If that leads to anyone getting hurt...it would be bad for their image. It will be fine. Right? If you stay just this time, just for a little while, I'll be alright by myself afterwards. You think?"

Believing it could only go one way, her father's words weighed heavily on her mind. "Of course, you'll be alright. But I'll miss you."

"I'll fix things when I'm in charge. We'll never be apart." After she finished writing out the letter, she left for a long time, returning well after lights out.

That night, she held her sister close. Neither had voiced the fear, that their parents might try and sneak her away early to avoid commotion. Kitana's shirt soaked with her sister's tears ignited her anger. She wanted to take the letter on her vanity, weighted down by Mileena's teddy, and hide it in a drawer, or under her pillow. Every sorrow filled sniffle from her sister's nose, provoked mischievous thoughts. When her parents returned and found her gone, what would their first thoughts be? If they somehow didn't find the note, and they feared the worse, would they rush back to get Mileena? In case they really were left with just one child? Perhaps it's what they deserved.

Not thrilled about the riding arrangements, Kitana decided to stay awake all night, so she could sleep most the first day away. Her eyes burned, her head ached, still she persisted. Come the deep blue of a new day, she felt her parents jostle Mileena awake, and kiss her goodbye.

Groggy on her feet, the young princess stuffed a few pillows under her blanket, dressed for the ride, then started sneaking toward the carriages. It was still dark. If they went back to check on her, or decided to take another carriage, this whole plan would go belly up.

She was halfway there when she remembered the food they were supposed to pack. She'd grabbed a blanket for the ride, but forgotten her food. It was too risky to go back. They weren't outside yet, if she went back in and was spotted, she would have to explain her clothes, the fake body of pillows in her bed, where she had come from. Mileena had said she would share her food with her. If she wasn't able to because of their parents watchful eyes, Kitana could potentially be without food or water for three whole days.

For her sister, she would bear it. Swiftly hopping in the back of the carriage, her heart melted when she landed on a soft blanket. There was just enough light to make out three pouches of water, and a satchel of what she assumed was food. Sticking out under one corner of her blanket was another of Mileena's teddy bears. Relieved, drained, with nerves on fire, she curled up in her second blanket, with her stuffed companion and passed out in her humble box.

She was only awakened once by the initial rocking. Everything after that was one big interrupted blur of sporadic awareness and unconsciousness.

The first time she was truly taken out of slumber, was by Mileena to alert her they were settling in for the night, and now might be a safe time for her to take care of any personal business, and stretch her legs.

As Mileena stood watch over her, they both heard their parents harsh whispers going back and forth.

"No, I don't doubt your loyalties, just your priorities."

"I could say the same to you. Mileena obviously doesn't want this. We are raising her to give in to the whines and wails of the people, and not think for herself. If we don't have this matter settled by time she's empress, what will you do, should she side with those wanting war with Earthrealm? The Umgadi's pull with the people may be more embellished than they care to admit. We have already done more for Outworld than they have. Their traditions rob Outworld of its children. You're too afraid to challenge them. I don't care how shaky these times are."

"Would you rather we abandon the crown and live in obscurity? Were it not for our nobility, Mileena would already be a memory to us. We'd have no idea where she was, or if she still lived. She's outgrown...Sindel please don't make me say something I'll regret."

"I do not control your mouth. Say what you want. Do you think that because she no longer needs to be nursed or held, that I'm less connected to her? You were much too forgiving after what they did. I was ready to disband them."

"And you understand why that can't happen?"

"I understand why you believe it can't happen."

"You are why she struggles with this. If you were more supportive,"

"I've been nothing but supportive. I speak to her from a place of understanding. I am her mother. You speak to her, as her king. Not her father. She adores you. And all you can offer her is surface statements about sacrifice. I feel the sacrifice, goodness knows Kitana feels it. Mileena never gets a break from it, but what about you Jerrod? Every second she's away I can barely focus. Does this sacrifice impact you? Or are you so indebted to Outworld it doesn't bother you?"

He gasped. "You wound me my queen. It may be every second for you, but it's every waking moment for me. I long for her in my sleep. I see her pain. I watch Kitana lie in misery for two whole months. We are giving everything we have, as a family, to make Outworld a better place. In every other aspect you are there with me, you understand. But here, here is where you made everything harder, and because I try and make it less agonizing, you make it seem as though I don't love my daughter. Like I don't hurt as much as you."

"I made it harder? For not giving them my baby, a day after I had her?"

"There's a reason things are done the way they are. Had we done it right from the beginning,"

"Would it have been better to not know her?"

With each passing moment, Kitana's heart felt heavy. The anger she had for them earlier was nowhere to be found. She knew her father loved them, and he struggled with the situation too. It wasn't fair everyone was being so mean to him. Were she not supposed to be in hiding, she would have run to embrace him.

On the way back, she ate an apple and drank a bit of water. Lying back in the cart, she had to stop her sister from crawling in with her. "Just two more days. I'm fine. Go back to mother and father."

"Mileena?"

The lid came down on her head. It was pitch black inside, their voices were muffled. With nothing but her own heartbeat competing to be heard, she could still make out some of what was being said.

"You are getting so big. Pretty soon, I won't be able to pick you up anymore. So I guess I'll have to hold you as much as I can in the meantime, won't I?" There was pacing, and humming. Only really low notes were making it through the wooden barrier. She knew the tune as a song he'd hum to them back at home. "I'm hoping you didn't, but I'm guessing you did hear a little of your mother and I talking over there." He kept pacing, shuffling in the dirt. "When you and your sister were born, I promised you both to Outworld. You're not just our future. You're theirs too. They want to help you take care of it. They want you to be a part of it. I wish I could take all the responsibility from you. You deserve the simplicity of childhood. I'm going to try and fix as much as I can, so when you're empress, you can have an easier life. What kind of things will you do when you're empress?"

Mileena's voice came through but not her words. Whatever she said had made their father laugh good and hearty.

"Oh, teddies and sweets for everyone? Tea parties too? I can't wait. Then I've really got to get a lot done. We both have to. Yes, Kitana will be with you. You'll both look after each other. You've been teaching her so well. Like a good sister. You're protecting her, even when you're far away." His voice traveled to the other side of the carriage. "We cannot break this agreement, dearest. But, you still have a say. If anything happens, and you want to come home, if it becomes more than you can bear, we will come for you. Nothing will keep us from you. I need you to try though. Will you do that, for me?" This close, the smacking sounds of his lips smothering her face in kisses was undeniable. "Sometimes, you can be more mature than your mother and me. Let's get some sleep, shall we?"

The next day came and went slower than the first. She spent a large part of it in her tiny space cuddled up with her bear, drinking and eating as little as possible to limit her need to relieve herself. Come second nightfall, it dawned on Kitana, that they were traveling alone. Save for the coachmen. There were no extra security, or Umgadi warriors. Mileena claimed she would find out why, from father. They kissed goodbye, and Kitana tried to get some sleep.

The carriage felt like it was moving much too soon after Mileena had left. After two days in this confinement, Kitana had a decent grasp on how time flew. She hadn't been able to sleep well. The noises, and overall unfamiliarity with her surroundings made it hard. Not boredom, not regular fatigue. Nothing outside of pure exhaustion could get her to sleep now. So she had been up most the night. She could tell, it was still night. Probably the middle of the night when they started moving again.

"They are rested dear. You both get back to sleep. We have to make that meeting. In this case, punctuality could be the difference between waking up to a battalion or breakfast."

Busying herself with some sightseeing, through the various slits in the planks, she wondered just how she was supposed to exit this thing. How Mileena was going to sneak her in, and how she was going to just idle around there unnoticed for probably more than a week, if her parents weren't going home right away.

This time when they stopped it was still quite bright out. Kitana shied away from the light, unable to bear even looking at the ground. Mileena quickly dragged her to someplace she could get freshened up.

"We should reach there by tonight. Father really wants to make this meeting. Our Umgadi warriors were sent ahead to keep the peace in case mother and father didn't arrive on time."

"Did he say what the meeting was for?"

"The Shokans and Centaurs are fighting again."

"The horsies and the ones with six arms?"

"No, those are the Naknadans. And you can't call the Centaurs horsies, father says it's rude."

"Oh, okay. Mileena, how am I going to blend in? Won't it be strange if they see two of us together? How will you even sneak me in?"

"It will likely still be dark. There's a weakness in the gate. It's been there for years, so unless someone's fixed it since the last time I was there, you should be able to get in through it. You can wear a mask. Some of the girls wear masks all the time. I'll get you one." Kitana nodded, consoled by how thoroughly Mileena had thought this through. "When we get to the entrance, hop out. Stay low and walk around the outer perimeter. The guards go much further than just the outer walls, so no one should see you. Walk until you see a small hole in the ground under the wall. Just wait there for me."

"Okay."

"How are your eyes? Are you alright?" Mileena put a hand on her head. "You feel clammy."

"I think I'm fine. It's just hot, and cold in there. It's strange, being packed away."

"In just a few more hours, you won't be. You'll be training with me, then we'll do lessons, and play. Now you should get plenty of rest. If we get there early, we'll still have to get up early with everyone else and begin the day. Your cover will be blown immediately if you miss wake up call."

Glad to be getting back to her makeshift room, she spread her blanket out, like she would her bed sheet. She put her teddy under her head, then Mileena put the cover over her, and kissed her forehead. "Just a little longer." In the dark, in a still, warm, somewhat comfortable box, she was able to find rest again. Hopefully, the next time she opened her eyes, and the lid to her temporary dwelling, she would be leaving it for good.

A large bump propelled her upwards, bouncing her all around the trunk. It was pitch black again, They had to be near by now.

"I'm still not comfortable with it Jerrod." Her mother's voice carried over the rattling of the carriage. "I think we should talk to Li Mei again."

"She's the one who brought it to us. Don't you trust her?"

"Her, yes. But, she follows orders. I doubt it was her idea. She seemed very understanding when I was hesitant to let Mileena go for two months. She wouldn't just spring six months on us. They probably put her up to it because they know we have good rapport with her."

"Mileena understands how important this is. We're going to try it out first. If she can stand it, will you leave it alone? We have other matters that need your focus right now."

"We can resolve this quicker than getting the Shokan and Centaurs to reach peace."

"I don't need them to reach peace, just some kind of civility. The Umgadi were kind enough to go ahead of us to keep the peace in case we don't get there in time."

"Kind enough? It is their responsibility."

"To protect us, not keep those behemoths from killing each other."

"If you were so worried about it, why didn't you let them drop her off, and we go ahead?"

He didn't speak for a while. "I barely get to see the girls as it is. She's going to be gone for a long time. I hate we couldn't bring Kitana, but I wouldn't want her there in case things went bad."

"I know you care, I know you love them. But you can't let Outworld rule you like this. You are the emperor. You have to start making demands, not pleas."

"Maybe I should just start letting you make half the decisions. Were we one person, we would be perfect. I'm too giving, you're too demanding."

"I don't think I am. If we were one person, your so called giving nature, would overpower me easily. Maybe I wouldn't be so high strung about it, if it wasn't affecting my children's lives like this. Kitana will be beside herself."

"Yes, yes. But they have both agreed to try. I know they both will make us proud."

Burying those guilty feelings, she lifted the lid to see if she could gauge where she was. It was dark out. The torch was giving her just enough light to tell they were on the last dirt road that would take them to the Umgadi base. It was very close from here. As long as she didn't get turned around, she could probably walk the rest of the way.

"Mileena, wake up darling. We're almost there. You don't want Li Mei to have to carry you in."

It was a few minutes before Mileena would speak. "Could you let me out here?"

"Here? Why?" Their mother asked.

"You have to get to your meeting don't you? You can turn around easily here. So it's fine if you let me out now."

"A few more minutes won't hurt anything. We can take you to the door."

"Please let me out here. It's not fair to the other girls. They get sad when they see you and mother."

Their father called out to the coachmen to halt the carriage. After three days of hearing them get in and out of the carriage, she knew to time her exit around the second person, who was usually Mileena. She made the most noise, and caused the most movement.

Once that energetic rattling started, she peeked out into the abysmal darkness. The coast was clear, it was time to jump.

Hitting the dirt with a quiet thud, she stayed low, sneaking off the road into some grass off to the side. Under lanterns held by the coachmen, she watched her parents give Mileena their farewells.

"This is, quite far Jerrod."

"From here to the entrance there are Umgadi guards everywhere mother. I'm safe to walk from here."

"It is very kind of you to be considerate of the other girls." They both hugged her again. "Is there anything you would like for us to relay to your sister? She'll be missing you most of all."

"No."

"She is always with you, isn't she." She wished she could get a warm parting from their parents too. To have that last hug, kiss, or pat on the head, goodbye. "The next time we see you, snow may be on the ground. Let's just hope war isn't. Goodbye princess."

Mileena stayed planted watching them go. Kitana sat in the grass, swatting bugs and leaves away.

"Get closer to the road. It's fine until we reach the entrance. The guards are much further out than this. You did really good jumping out when I did. You've been paying attention huh?"

"If that was your plan you could have told me ahead of time."

"It wasn't, I just thought of it."

"So you're normally that noisy when you get out of the carriage?"

She snickered. "I guess. Now, when I say go, you're going to head around the entrance, to the left. Follow the wall. It's going to be dark, so keep your hand on the wall, and look for the lights above. Li Mei will likely come to greet me, so it might be a while before I get you. It's important you keep your hand on the wall, because you're going to feel a big dent. That's how you'll get in. You wait there."

"Mileena...it's been a while since you've been here. What if they fixed it?"

"It's been there for as long as I can remember. It's how the older sisters sneak in and out of camp. There's others, I just don't know where they are."

"What if someone's sneaking in?"

"Then wait. We can't tattle on them. But if they catch us sneaking out, they'll tell on us."

"What do they sneak out and do?"

"I don't know."

There were so many other questions on her mind, like what they would do the second she was in, what was planned for morning. How she would interact with the other girls. Had the bugs and forest not been such a bother, she would have brought these things up.

"It will be bed time when we get there, so we'll have to be quiet, and find somewhere to sleep."

That took care of one set of questions. Voices up ahead made her stop. Mileena kept going, right up to the two older girls carrying spears. "Evening sisters."

"What is this child doing out so late? You know you're supposed to be sleeping." One girl replied. She roughly snatched Mileena up by her arm.

"Unhand her you simpleton." The other girl shoved the first away and fixed Mileena's clothes properly. "Pardon her princess. She is not aware. Would you like an escort back to camp? I'm sure your matron wouldn't like it if we left you out here alone."

"No thank you. I can manage."

"Very well. Have a goodnight."

In her wake, the two girls were whispering back and forth, one giggling while the other trembled. The doors were in view now. Soon they would be leaving each other.

"Go around like I told you. Once you find the dent, sit near it, not right next to it, in case someone else comes. I'll call for you when I get there."

She nodded, even though Mileena likely couldn't see her. It was a wonder if she knew Kitana was still beside her. She could barely see Mileena under the lanterns lighting the way, it was even harder to see this gate she was supposed to follow. Everything just looked black.

"Good to see you Mileena. You've grown since I last saw you. Did you run off and leave your parents again?"

"No. But I am much too big for them to be walking me in."

"Even in the dark like this? You weren't afraid?"

Li Mei's sweet, cheerful voice made her feel warm inside. Sometimes when the Umgadi had special events or training days, she would come get Mileena from the palace. When she came, she would play with Kitana and show her some of the things they were learning. She said Kitana was just as capable as Mileena, and not because they were twins. She told her she had the makings of a great warrior too. Her encouragement was a big reason as to why she didn't mind being a sparring partner, to her father's despair.

Finding the gate proved somewhat easier than she expected. She kept her hand on it and walked quickly to find the dent. It was all uneven, so she hoped this dent would be noticeably different. Light conversation on the other side of the wall kept her from feeling so alone. She thanked the elders it was cool outside. Her sweat had mostly come from nerves, so the air was doing a fantastic job of cooling and calming her.

A good seven minutes of walking, she took a break, hoping it wasn't too much further. Not five seconds into her rest, she heard her name being harshly whispered a few feet to her left.

"Geez Kitana, how did you miss the hole. It's right here."

"It's not really a hole. You said dent. There's dents all over this wall."

"Well, now you know. You would have certainly gotten lost if you kept going that way."

"Can I come in now. It's really dark out here Mileena."

Mileena slipped under and thrust some clothes at her. "Here, take off your clothes. Put these on. You can get a bath tomorrow." Mileena folded her clothes while she put on the new outfit. A simple tan tunic with dark shorts. "We'll leave your things here, you can get them back when mother and father pick you up." To finish off the ensemble, a thin mask was slipped over her ears. "Just keep this on."

They climbed under the depression in the wall. Despite how late it was, people were still roaming the grounds, mostly older girls. A few children here and there, scampering back to tents. Mileena led her deep into camp. It was much bigger than it looked from the entrance. It was so large, there was a small forest separating one half from the other.

The section Mileena brought her to was completely silent. No one was walking around, there were only two lights on every tent. They were spread so far apart the lights were doing nothing to stave off the darkness.

An eerie feeling came over her. It drew her closer to her sister. She moved through the blinding blackness with a certainty, and quietness, like she was a part of it.

Mileena dragged her around the side of a tent, lifted the flap and crawled under. She held it open and yanked Kitana into the other side with her. She didn't know what she expected, but it wasn't a room full of girls sleeping all over the floor. Mileena collapsed onto the collective of sleeping girls. She then patted a relatively empty space before her.

It was lumpy, hot. Her head was on someone's knee, her legs were thrown over Mileena's. A foot was rubbing her shoulder. She never thought she would miss sleeping in a wooden box. It was cramped, dark and warm, but at least she had enough room to spread out and a couple blankets.

These conditions would have been unbearable if not for her sister's comforting embrace. Had she not gone along with this, she would be home right now, in the most comfortable bed in all the land, up all night, not knowing when she would see her sister again. Nothing could have been worse than that. She could put up with this.

"Get up, it's time to wake up."

Feeling like she'd only just managed to close her eyes, Kitana wondered why Mileena had awoken her so soon. It was barely brighter than when they arrived. With all the other girls gone she could see they hadn't been sleeping on a dirt floor as she thought. There were many mats strewn about, and just as many blankets. Mileena shrugged when she asked about it.

"Everyone just moves around at night. You get used to it." All the girls had filled into a corner of the room. They were changing their outfits into ones Kitana was more familiar with. "I'll keep your clothes in my basket. You can wear my spare for now, I'll get you your own later."

When there were less girls surrounding the corner, she and Mileena were able to get into her basket. Even though no one was really paying attention to her, it felt odd for Kitana to just strip down in front of everyone else. At home with just them, it wasn't an issue. In front of all these strangers, there was something indecent about it.

Her uniform proved more difficult than it looked. She didn't know what to do with the sashes and belt, which meant she couldn't get her pants to stay up. Mileena was dressed in a matter of seconds, while Kitana was awkwardly drowning in her robes.

"It goes like this, you have to pay attention." Mileena didn't move until Kitana was focused on her hands. "You tie it like this, and wrap that around here. Look at my uniform." She turned around when she was done. "It has to look like this, at all times. If it doesn't and you can't fix it, tell me right away."

"You don't know how to fix your uniform?" A dark skinned girl with curly hair peeked her head around to look at them.

"She was transferred over here, from Li Mei's group. They tie theirs differently." Mileena responded.

"We didn't hear about a new transfer." Her big silver eyes beamed down on her. "Why did you get transferred? When did you get transferred? You weren't here yesterday."

"Why are you bothering her Leisa? She is new, you're going to scare her."

"Asking questions? Are all of Li Mei's girls so timid? First we get a princess, now a scaredy-cat?"

"I'm not a princess when I'm here."

"Then you're not Umgadi when you leave. You're hardly ever here anyway." From the dwindling crowd a slightly taller girl, with dark brown hair emerged. "When did you get back?"

"Why do you care? Did you miss me?"

"You're not here enough to miss. You come to play Umgadi for a couple months, then you go home. Is your family really that horrible? Or are the king and queen that powerless?"

"Maybe they don't care about you? I wouldn't let my daughter come here." More voices added to the collective of mean spirited comments. Throughout the berating Mileena kept a stoic, empty look on her face.

A woman, wearing the garbs of a matron, stood in the entryway. "Why are so many of you still inside? You should be running."

A majority of the girls fled. Mileena delicately shoved her away, in the direction of the others leaving. The woman was heading straight for them. Kitana ran around her, then paused in the entryway. The woman stopped in front of Mileena, and stood there, until it was just them left.

"When did you return?"

Mileena bowed. "Early this morning matron Dahlila."

"You're fine to run? I'll understand if you need to sit this one out. The ride here can be, difficult."

"I'm alright. I keep up with my training at home."

As she was walking away, the woman reached out and grabbed her hand. "Have you given my proposal any more thought, princess?" Mileena paused again. "It's been a couple years now. I thought your time away might have been contributing to your hesitance. I spoke with the council about, prolonging your stay. It is, better for you. It may even help the other girls warm up to you sooner." The woman knelt down beside her. She put her head on her shoulder and said something Kitana couldn't make out.

"Hey, you might want to start running. Being last isn't the worst thing, but if matron Dahlila thinks you're slacking off, she'll make you run more." Leisa raced up beside her and kept running in place while she spoke. "What is your name?"

Of all the things for her to not go over. She thought of using her mother's name, her father's name, her own name. Mileena had never made it clear rather or not she should use a fake name. Remembering a distant cousin, she blurted out a more feminine version of his name. "Xan-Xandra."

"Come on then Xandra. I'll run with you." The enthusiastic girl gave her no choice in the matter. She took Kitana by the hand and dragged her along until her legs caught up to the modest pace. "So, Xandra, why did you get transferred?"

"Li-Li Mei just thought I would like it more over here."

"Really? Why? Were you bad?"

"No..."

"You didn't listen?"

"No?"

"Maybe Li Mei doesn't like you very much. Everyone says she's really nice, but you're the second girl we've had transferred from her squad, for no real reason. That's not really something that happens. We're all in the same camp, we're all Umgadi. There's no reason to trade matrons. Matron Dahlila gets all the...less than good girls."

"You don't seem bad."

"I'm not." She sulked. "That's who she gets now. When I was first assigned to her, she was like the others. I've just noticed a lot of the girls coming from other camps, were kind of, bad."

"Oh. Who's that tall girl with the dark hair? The one arguing with Mileena?"

"Elaine. She's kinda sour to everyone, but especially Mileena. I know why, but you'd think with her being princess and all, she wouldn't do that."

Winded as she was, she was still interested in finding out what problems this girl had with her sister. "Why is she like that?"

"Jealous. Most of us like it here, so hearing the princess talk about her family didn't really bother us. But it bothered her something fierce. Did you know she's a twin? She's got a sister that looks just like her at home. That's so strange, sharing a face with someone."

"Yeah..."

Her chest was burning, so the conversation was put on indefinite hold. She was still exhausted from last night. She wondered how Mileena would manage. She wouldn't have blamed her if she'd taken the offer to rest instead. She hoped she hadn't declined the offer because she was watching.

"Don't slow her down Leisa." Mileena came trotting up behind them, looking as relaxed as one could be.

"Xandra's the one out of breath here. Li Mei must not work you girls hard at all. I should see if she'll take me. I'd be her best student." She sped off ahead leaving them alone.

"Kitana, you have to go faster. I don't want to leave you, but I can't be this far behind."

"I can see where you're going. Just go Mileena."

"No. Other girls should be joining soon. If you blend in with them, you can join me later. Don't talk. Just focus on running now."

"Mileena, how come, you never mentioned that girl?"

"She's not important. She's just sad. Arguing with her will only make it worse. Now stop talking and save your energy. We've got a long way to go."

Long way didn't begin to describe the journey from camp to wherever it was they ended up. Kitana was lost in a sea of older and younger girls. She was embarrassed to see kids even younger than her, flying by with no issue. Many older girls brought up the rear. They were very playful. Hopping on each other's backs, play fighting, and even carrying some of the tired stragglers.

After she'd fallen twice, a nice girl with bright eyes offered her a hand. "Come little sister, you will be late for your lessons." It was very much an enjoyable ride, until she started competing with another girl who also had a young rider catching her breath.

Dropped off with a large group, she followed them, attempting to spy Mileena among the crowd. All the uniforms were melding together. All the girls were running around, bumping into her, pushing her, laughing and yelling. She was feeling overwhelmed.

"Xandra." Seeing her sister pushing girls right and left, she threw herself into her arms. Grateful to be found, Mileena allowed her to cling to her like a little monkey, while she carried her to their designated meeting place.

They sat behind the rest of the girls from their group. Leisa scooted closer to her, bringing an unusually pale masked girl, with white eyes and hair along with her. "You were right behind us, where were you?"

"She didn't sleep well last night. She was up when I arrived." Too tired to speak, she turned over in Mileena's arm. Head resting on her chest, she noticed her heart's normal rhythm. Meanwhile her heart was beating in her eardrums.

In front of them, all the matrons had lined up. Li Mei stepped forward and bowed before them. "What is your main objective as Umgadi?"

"To protect Outworld!" They screamed in unison.

"Why?"

"Because we are the daughters of Outworld!"

"More than warriors, you are?"

"Family!"

"You are here, because each and every one of your parents believed in something greater than themselves. They believed in the unity of Outworld. You are proof of the selflessness and commitment we have as Outworlders. In victory, or defeat,"

"Only victory!" A girl bellowed from the back of the mob.

Li Mei laughed with half the camp. "Hopefully. But, in the event we should meet defeat, we will come back stronger, because we are backed by the will of the people. Outworld believes in us, we must exceed their expectations."

The woman she'd seen speaking to Mileena stepped forward next. "When you reflect today, as always, we ask you take a moment to appreciate the privilege and sacrifice you bear. It is a great honor."

"As is the special treat we have for you today." Li Mei shot a sly eye at Matron Dahlila. "You should tell them. You have a knack for flare."

"You're too kind. As an extra incentive for today's sparring lesson, the winning squad will be given use of the hot spring. That is your privilege. But, now for the sacrifice. You must make the two day hike up to the spring. It is completely voluntary, everyone is welcomed to try. We look forward to seeing who's squad will rise to the challenge. You are dismissed."

"That's it? We're just free to do what we want now?" Kitana whispered.

"No. We have to go to lessons now. History, weapons training, which also includes maintaining and putting them together, language then lunch. Break in between, then sparring."

"How come we haven't eaten yet?"

"We don't eat breakfast on the days we run first thing in the morning."

"Why did you like it here?"

"Shush. Come, you can rest and catch your breath during the lecture. That's what I do."

Unlike her sister, Kitana actually enjoyed lectures, particularly ones on history. Since Mileena was next in line for the throne, she should have been paying the most attention. Weak and nervous as she was, she delighted in offering up answers when she knew them. It made other girls engage, making it the first pleasant thing she'd experienced since arriving.

After an invigorating mental workout, and a decent reprieve from physical exercise, Kitana was ready for the next class. In weapons training, they were given a large stick, nearly a foot taller than them, a strange pair of gloves, meant to protect the thumbs, and a small sharp blade. A woodworking maiden showed them the proper way to whittle a spear. They were told to make them well, because they would be used by the older girls to hunt and fight.

She found this activity soothing. It wasn't as loud as it had been. Everyone was pretty cheery and calm. Mileena was talking with some other girls while she worked beside her, everything was going good.

"Oops." The one called Elaine walked by with her stick at an odd angle. It smacked Mileena in the side of the head. Kitana was struck too on account of her proximity.

Kitana hadn't even got a reflexive response out before Mileena pounced upon the girl. Two more girls went down with them. Blades were clinking all over the floor. Sticks were bouncing around. The unwilling participants were scrambling to get away from the punches and kicks going back and forth between Mileena and Elaine.

"Apologize to her."

"Get off me!"

Kitana wanted to do something, she tried to tell her sister she was alright, when she attempted to get close to them, she was pulled back by onlookers, rallying them on.

"What am I going to do with you two? It's been one day." Matron Dahlila grabbed them both by the sashes on their shoulders. She had no trouble holding them both up, so they had to balance on their toes. "What is the meaning of this?"

"I accidentally hit her with my stick, and she attacked me." Elaine cried. "It was an accident."

"No it wasn't." Mileena spit.

A handful of girls around them corroborated Elaine's version of events. She was released, while Mileena was dragged off by the matron. Kitana tried to continue her assignment, but all she could think of was Mileena being in trouble.

Leisa brought her stool, stick and whittle over. "Don't worry about her. She never gets in trouble with matron Dahlila. She's just going to talk to her. Another reason the girls don't really like her. Sometime when we get in trouble, she makes us run or balance on the poles, but Mileena never gets in real trouble. I've even heard her asking for it like a crazy person."

"Why are they all so mean to her? It's not her fault she was born a princess."

"They really aren't that mean. That was probably the meanest thing she's ever done. Elaine normally just says mean stuff, sometimes. And it's not even really mean, it's the truth. Mileena isn't a real Umgadi warrior. She's a princess. The future queen. That's more important than being Umgadi. If we were called to battle, she would be taken away, held back for her safety. Her life is worth more than ours."

"Is that really a reason not to like someone?"

Leisa shrugged. "It normally doesn't bother Mileena. That's the first time I've ever seen her act like that." Kitana felt even worse knowing she had caused her sister more trouble just by being there. "You must be real good friends. Did you keep in touch while she was at the castle?" She nodded. "Must be nice, being friends with the princess."

"You seem nice. Why aren't you her friend?"

"She's only here for two months. Kind of, forget about her. Can't really get to know her. It's not that we're not friends. We're just, I don't know."

Despite being told Mileena wouldn't suffer any serious consequences, Kitana excused herself to check on her. She really should have spoken up about the situation. That Elaine had intentionally struck her. Mileena was protecting her. She wasn't normally violent. The other girls had attested to that.

Outside the shelter, was a bustling ever moving sea of people. Sparring, screaming, talking, laughing. Tame, but still somewhat overwhelming. It took her a minute to understand everything she was seeing. She hoped finding her sister in all this, would prove easier since she now understood the layout, to a small degree.

It wasn't often they fought, but when they did, and their mother separated them, to lecture the troublemaker, she would normally take them just outside the room, or someplace quiet they could talk, or more accurately, receive a talking to. Around here the only semi quiet places to be found were inside the tents, or away from the crowd. She couldn't just walk around peeking into every tent, and the crowd was so massive, it almost seemed like there was no escaping it without leaving the immediate area. Wherever they were, they had to be nearby. Surely matron Dahlila didn't want Mileena to miss the rest of her lessons.

Walking off to the side, she was more than half pass the second tent, when she happened to look back and spot her sister and their matron just outside the weapon's training tent.

They were tucked away, in a tight corner, made of the tent flaps. Easily missed if you weren't looking for them. She could only see half of her sister and the matron's hands. From the position of her hands, she must have been kneeling. Mileena had her head down and arms crossed.

The plan was to walk right up to her and tell her the extra parts she might not know. However the closer she got, and the more she was able to hear, changed her mind. Sneaking up to the flap they hid behind, Kitana cupped a hand around her ear.

"Your, body language is telling me, nothing I've said is really sinking in."

"It has."

"Then why, why do you seem so...guarded, with me?" She ended her question with a soft whiny hum, then a giggle.

"I'm not. I'm just...upset. Am I not allowed that? She hit me."

"Where...does it hurt? Would you like me to,"

"No. No. I'm fine. I just,"

"You can't behave that way. Not as a future queen. Is that where the hurt comes from? Are you feeling disrespected by your subjects?"

"No. I don't think of them like that."

"Why not? Until you are truly Umgadi, it's not unreasonable for you to feel that way. It is unreasonable for you to give so little, and expect so much."

"Is it too much I expect she doesn't hit me?"

"You hit her back...why are you still so upset? You acted irrationally. Should word of this make it back to the king and queen, she could be banished, or worse. She has nowhere to go. She's a child, with nothing. All she has is her life here, with us."

"My parents wouldn't do that. I...I wouldn't tell them."

"Why not? Isn't that what parents are for?"

"I honor my vows. I respect our code of honor even when I am...home. I only speak of my progress."

"Really? You don't talk about anything else? Not even to the princess? She is your...real sister after all. Your real family."

"No. I respect my sisters here. They are also my family."

"I would be more inclined to believe you, if you weren't so, hesitant here. Indecisiveness is unbecoming of a warrior and a queen."

"Can I go now, I will miss the rest of my lessons."

"Yes...run along. You really need to get used to this routine, since you'll be staying for much longer this time."

Mileena came running around the flap. She was nearly back inside when she saw Kitana still sitting on the floor. Her eyes were big. She didn't even wait for her to get up, she just hoisted her off the ground and ran her back inside.

"Don't do that. You stay with the group."

"But, I was going to tell her it wasn't your fault."

"No. It's fine. She just wanted to talk to me. I wasn't in trouble." She sighed. "Kit-Xandra, the main thing is keeping you here for as long as possible. Just keep your head down, okay?"

Under Mileena's gentle hand, patting her head, she agreed. Back inside the tent, she followed her sister, weaving through many little stools and sticks until they reached Elaine and her little group.

"I would like to apologize. That was...I overreacted." Mileena bowed to Elaine.

Rubbing the bruise on her cheek, Elaine weakly accepted. Shockingly, she had much more remorse when she turned to Kitana. "Xandra, I didn't mean to hit you...either. It really was an accident."

With apologies and acceptance out of the way, everyone returned to their tasks and the day went on relatively free of conflict. Come late afternoon, torches and lanterns were lit, they were in charge of helping clean the field. And the competition was beginning.

She heard many girls talking about competing, and others talking about the journey up the mountain and the value of the prize. For as many people as there were, the amount of people wanting a chance to compete wasn't very high. Enough to enforce a three fighters from each squad, limit.

Mileena was chosen, along with Elaine and a girl Kitana didn't know. Their squad didn't seem to care too much for the prize, it seemed they just wanted to join in. Kitana surely didn't want to scale a mountain. Leisa told her the hotsprings was probably nice, but it wasn't like they couldn't get a hot bath back at camp. They just had to wait for a free day, as it took a while to get it together.

Her sister sat with the other girls, watching the matches intently. It looked much more aggressive than what Mileena had shown her back at home. If she heard the rules right, it clearly stated this was a mostly peaceful sparring match. These girls appeared to really be trying to hurt each other.

"Mileena are you sure about this?" She whispered.

"Yes. I'll be fine. Even if I don't win. This is the fun part. If you're around for our practice sparring, I'll make sure I'm your partner so you don't get hurt."

Right in front of them, a girl was flung backwards and fell on her staff, snapping it in half. It wasn't clear how she had been injured, but she had a huge gash on her back, leaking a significant amount of blood.

"Mileena..."

"I'll be fine."

Kitana clung to her pants leg as she walked to her fighting circle. The squad they were up against was fairly young. There was no age discrimination. It did seem they tried to keep everyone evenly matched up. The younger girls were fazed out pretty quickly. This appeared to be the last group of them.

The other two girls finished their opponents off mere seconds after the start of the match. It was incredible considering the younger girls weren't all that bad. If she had to make a guess, from what she saw, they lost based on strength and endurance. Not skill. They fought much better than Kitana did. That was easy enough to see from the hard time Mileena was having with her opponent. The girl looked to be about 8. She was fast. She used her small stature to force Mileena to aim low, then she'd close the gap and give her no room to attack.

Elaine returned to her spot. Kitana expected her to start talking down on her sister. Instead she sat quietly, watching.

The last time the young girl managed to evade, she forced Mileena's staff into the ground, then stood on it. Right as she was about to raise her own weapon above Mileena's head, she grabbed it and snatched her forward. The girl, probably stunned, didn't think to let it go, and was hurled into the ground. Pinned with her own pole, Mileena picked her weapon back up and aimed to bring it down on the child's head.

The match was called mid swing. Mileena helped the child up then returned to her seat. "You did great Mileena." Kitana cheered. Her halfhearted smile made her want to tug her mask down and show her she really was impressed with her fighting skills.

"Barely. That's what happens when you only stay for two months. She fights almost as good as someone 3 years younger. That girl probably knew who you were and was holding back."

"Possibly." Mileena kept her eyes forward. "Which is why my stays have been extended, by four months. Soon, I'll be here all year. Even with my delay, I'll probably have caught all the way up by my second year. No one will have to hold back for me."

Which part exactly, that shut Elaine up wasn't clear, but she stopped talking anymore on the subject. The three of them fought two more times before the final round. Mileena's fights had been more difficult, as the ages of the fighters increased. Her comrades had a fair amount of trouble too. So no one came back bragging or shaming. The final challengers were almost exclusively older girls. During the last match before theirs, matron Dahlila sat beside them.

"It's an honor you girls have made it this far. Be proud of yourselves for that if this is as far as you get. If by chance you don't win. I really wasn't expecting any of you to participate. I'm not really prepared to make the hike. But it's a small sacrifice to reward your efforts. Good luck girls."

Kitana watched the way the matron showed her sister just a little more kindness than she did the other girls. She didn't rub the other girl's backs the way she did Mileena. It was good to know someone was being sweet to her.

Come their turn, the three rose in unison. Their opponents did the same. They all looked to be in their late teens. Their masks were pulled up high on their faces. The wooden practice knives they had been fighting with, were thrown to the sides. They declared they would not be using any weapons. Not out of hubris, they were just tired of using them. Mileena and the other two relinquished their weapons as well, to be fair.

Since it was the finale, there was more formality in the ring. They were made to bow, and each fight would be given its own attention, meaning only one fight would be allowed at a time. Mileena was up first.

Matron Dahlila leaned casually against a planted torch. "From my squad, I present, the future empress of Outworld. Mileena. Of course she expects no special treatment. Neither will she be giving any."

The other girl was promptly introduced by her matron, then the gong went off. They circled the ring, sizing each other up, waiting for the other to make the first move. Come the second go round, the older girl swept her leg in the dirt kicking up a dust cloud. She flew into it, running straight for Mileena.

Kitana would have screamed out, had anyone else done so. The crowd was deathly quiet. Mileena shifted her body to avoid worse damage. She still managed to take a blow to the shoulder. When it spun her around, she used that momentum to power a spinning kick. Even with the girl's height, she crouched down under Mileena's attack, then grabbed her by her collar and leg. The force from her kick was redirected into a powerful slam. She hit the ground so hard, her body bounced once.

She rolled over on her side, failed to stand twice. On bent knees, she shot herself at the older girl. A foot before she reached her, she jerked to the side, hopped behind her, then jumped on her back. She locked her arms around her neck and under her right arm. Had it been done against someone her own size, it might have been effective at whatever she was trying to do.

The girl tried elbowing her, headbutting her, she even tried shaking her loose. She didn't appear completely bothered by what Mileena was doing, but of course she couldn't just let her stay up there. She hurled her body backwards, throwing them both in the dirt. Still Mileena held on. She wrapped her legs around the trunk of the girl's body and seemed to be pulling her arms upward.

Her opponent rolled over on her stomach, got to her knees, then back on her feet. She snatched her limbs in and hunched her back, loosening Mileena's hold. Once she was loose, the fight was over.

A swift punch behind her caught Mileena in the side of the head. She was then kicked in the shoulder and back. All Mileena could do was cover her face and chest when the girl pounced upon her and rained down a fury of fists. She looked so helpless trying to protect herself. She let out a particularly pitiful groan when she was struck in the stomach.

"Xandra, what are you doing?" Leisa put a restraining hand on her arm. "You can't go up there."

"Why aren't they stopping it? She's not fighting back."

"What? You know they don't call the match until the fighters agree it's over." She hadn't even realized she was nearly standing over everyone in her squad. The other girls were giving her questioning looks. "They'll stop it before anyone is seriously hurt. And Mileena knows when to quit. All she has to do is put her arms down."

As soon as she ended her statement, Mileena did just that. The girl straddling her had tremendous control. She paused the moment her arms went down. Her barrage of fists just stopped. She stood, extended a hand to Mileena, helped her stand. The winner was called, they congratulated each other, and returned to their seats.

"Mileena, are you okay?" Sitting beside her, she could see and hear the pain in her movements. Holding herself, she rested her head on Kitana's lap. Not knowing what to do, she stroked her sister's head and tried to rock her.

Elaine's match and the other girls' went pretty much the same way, but they were left in arguably worse condition. After bowing, both of them more or less had to crawl back to their seats. The second they were back, matron Dahlila alerted them, they'd be leaving out.

Kitana hadn't noticed how many people had left as the competition continued. Not just the losing squads, but a lot of the spectators were gone too.

Girls clamored around Elaine and the other girl to help them back to camp. No one, not even Leisa bothered to even ask if Mileena was okay. They were at the very end of the group.

"Mileena, if you want, you can get on my back."

"I'm fine. It's just, my stomach and back."

"She hit you all over. Is it, normally like this?" She didn't answer. "She shouldn't have done that. You're a princess, she,"

"No. I'm Umgadi. I don't want anyone going easy on me because I'm a princess. They already treat me different. I can't be both. They won't respect me."

That familiar rattle of a carriage made Kitana pull them both off to the side. The carriage slowed and stopped beside them. Matron Dahlila was hanging outside the window, smiling at them.

"Mileena, would you like a lift? Your injuries appear serious."

"I'm alright. I can walk. Elaine and Sariyah might appreciate it though, they were in much worse shape than me."

"They will be fine. But at this rate, it will take you all night to return." She suddenly shifted her head to Kitana. "You, if you're out here after dark, this way will be completely black. You will get lost. I'd suggest you run along." Mileena was pushing her away before she had a chance to protest. She walked away as slowly as she could. While still in earshot, she heard the matron say, "Now you have no reason to refuse. Come. Get in. Your carriage awaits, my queen."

Mileena refused several more times. She even heard someone else say something from inside the carriage. Moments later the carriage was rushing passed her. Terrified of losing the way, she immediately found the grooves made by the wheels and followed them. At a brisk moderate pace, she was able to ignore her burning aching limbs, until she came to the clearing of bright lights. It looked much more lively than it had when they came this morning.

The masked girl with striking features came jogging up to her. "Xandra." She hissed. "Come. Mileena wanted to know the second you returned. She was about to come searching for you."

Too tired to run, she sped walked behind the girl, who picked up on her haste and upped her own pace. Inside their tent, the girls were spread all out, talking and playing. Elaine and Sariyah had two girls each helping bandage their wounds, while Mileena was lying alone with her head under the tent flaps.

Able to observe her in the light, she saw many more marks and bruises than she remembered. "Um...could you please get me some bandages?" Kitana asked the blank eyed girl. The girl agreed then miraculously disappeared right before her eyes. "Mileena, I'm here."

Wincing with every move, her sister lunged at her. "I was about to go back out there. What took you so long?"

"I couldn't see, I had to follow the tracks." Her voice lowered. "But it was good for my first time right? I got back all by myself, and I kept running."

"Yes, you did great."

"Here." White eyes appeared beside them, dropping a small basket of supplies and a pouch of water.

"Thanks Khameleon." She nodded and left. "Xandra, I'm alright, really. I'm not hurt nearly as much as them."

"You're still hurt." Pouring a bit of water on a cloth, she wiped as much blood and dirt as she could off her twin's skin. "I'm glad you didn't have to walk back. Do you feel better?"

"A little bit, I threw up, had some blood in it." She grinned. "But it was just from my tooth coming out."

"Do mother and father know it's like this? Is this what you meant when you said things had changed and they didn't know?"

"Don't...talk about that right now." Mileena cringed. "Too bad you can't stay. The medics don't have to do such violent training, and we need a lot of those. You're okay at this."

"I don't like all this. When you're queen, you should get rid of this."

In that moment, her sister resembled their father, more than herself. That tender, repressed smile. "Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. It's, complicated. Luckily for you, you don't have to worry about that."

Securing the last bandage, she lied beside her sister, and they watched the other girls pretend sparring, and reenacting parts of the afternoon. Everyone was relaxed and joyful. Aside from the fighting, which Mileena seemed to enjoy, Kitana could see how this could be nice for a few months. Not six, but two, surely.

A swift kick to the head awakened Kitana in the middle of the night. Aside from feeling like she wasn't in the same place she'd fallen asleep, she noticed her sister wasn't beside her either. In this dark, it would have been impossible to find her among the sleeping girls. Thinking she would be fine sleeping alone, this one time, she got as close as she could to the walls of the tent and tried to get back to sleep.

Turning over, straining in the dark, she saw shadows moving in and out of the matron's section of the tent. Then the light of a candle. Crouching, almost crawling, came matron Dahlila. She slithered over the children below, bringing the candle close to their faces, then moving on. Starting from the closest to her room, then going straight forward, she was now working around the sides. Coming straight for Kitana.

Shutting her eyes tight, she quickly turned away so she was facing the wall again. The candle's brightness was blinding against her eyelids.

"Mileena?" Matron Dahlila's hand gently urged her to turn back over. Kitana shrugged her off and twisted over until she was face down. "Mileena." When her hand came back a second time, it was on her face, pulling at her mask.

"Yes?" Her sister's voice answered from across the tent.

The light and matron gradually left her. "I need to speak with you, outside please."

Kitana turned back over and watched them leave together. The matron may have gracefully avoided stepping on anyone, Mileena did not. Her shadow could be seen clumsily jerking and tripping over probably every body in her path.

She listened to their footsteps bringing them directly on the other side of her piece of wall. The candle was extinguished. There was barely any light out, so she felt safe enough to attempt what she had seen her sister do. Sticking her head under the loose fabric, she eavesdropped on another private conversation between her sister and the matron.

"You must have been pretty worn out. I'm glad you got someone to bandage you. I was going to call you back to help you with that, but you were already fast asleep." Mileena said nothing. "Too tired to change out of your training clothes?"

"I'm very tired miss. And tomorrow,"

"Can be an off day. You girls deserve it."

"Thank you. Now can I,"

"There's still some hot water left. It's probably not as fancy as what you're used to, and it's no hot spring, but it's warm, and clean."

"What?"

"The bath. Between the ride here, the day you've had, I'm sure you'd like a bath. You always smell so nice when you arrive. You snuck in, right under my nose this time. But, I bought you a little gift from me, that's also for me. It's a bath oil, it keeps your skin soft, and fragrant. I think it would smell lovely on you. You never bring things like this with you when you come."

"I, appreciate it matron Dahlila, but I can't accept it, the other girls,"

"Mileena," Her tone shifted from tender, to firm. "Until you are properly initiated, you are a princess. You are not a child anymore. You understand you're different? It would be wrong for me not to give you offerings. Especially after what happened today. I assume that's why you are postponing your initiation."

"No. I,"

"You promised me last time, you would strongly consider it. You said you were ready to be fully embraced as Umgadi. You want the best of neither, you're getting the worse of both. I'm sure the girls wonder why you are choosing to reject them. Trying to win them over, by denying yourself what you are owed, is foolish. You think anyone here treats you the same?"

"They might, if you didn't tell everyone I was a princess. I don't want anyone to know. I leave, they forget about me,"

"See, you still aren't thinking about them. That girl could have really hurt you had I said nothing. You aren't as strong as them. You aren't as skilled. Until I know, and your parents know, you are truly committed, then I will treat you like the princess you are. This is to protect everyone, because of your indecisiveness. I'm not trying to be cruel. It's a big responsibility. A big step forward. But trust me Mileena, you will not be thrown to the wolves once you accept. You will be protected by them." Their feet scuffed the ground. "All I ask, is you keep me by your side when you are queen. No one will protect you better. Embrace us, as a true part of your family. Give me a home, with you. Don't I deserve it? After what I've given up?"

"Why...why won't you just tell me what I have to do?"

She moaned. "You're special. This is unprecedented. A royal Umgadi warrior. This ritual, is, far beyond sacred. I need your trust. I need you to believe in me, that I have your best interest at heart. More than your mother, more than your father. You were placed with Li Mei. I asked for you. She agreed I was more suited, because I understand how special you are, and what it takes to help you excel in both your roles." The space between their shadows lessened. "You will accept, when you are ready. My heart breaks watching you suffer so. I can't make life easier for you, until you commit. Does that make you upset? Or do you understand?"

Mileena sighed. "I understand. I'll, have my reply soon, matron."

"Good, good. So, will you still not join me? I can, reheat the water for us."

"It would not be fair to the other girls. If tomorrow will be a day to relax, I can take one then, with everyone."

The matron's tone was warm again. "That you can. We'll save this, for the night of the ritual. Finish resting my dear."

She stared at the opening waiting for her sister to come through. As carefully as she could manage, she climbed over the sleeping girls. "Mileena...Mileena."

They found each other, in the darkness. No sooner had they lain down, did Mileena fall right back into an exhausted sleep. Mindful of her injuries, she tried to make herself more available, instead of leaning on her. Though she wanted to watch over her sister for the rest of the night, an unsure tomorrow begged her to get some sleep herself.

"Xandra, wake up. Come on, you don't want to sleep the day away." Kitana felt herself being gently shaken awake. "I let you sleep in enough. You want to take a warm bath today, right?"

Rolling onto her stomach, she slowly got up on her knees, then rose to her feet. Keeping her balance, she sleepily let Mileena lead her to the clothes baskets, then out the tent. Her eyes were still closed when she stumbled out into the bright light of the sun.

"You went to sleep before me, why are you so sleepy?" Kitana hugged her sister's arm for support. "Wake up. I want to show you the fun stuff."

"Sleeping was fun."

The fatigue slowly started to wear off as she was navigated through joyous yelling, talking, laughing and even singing. It seemed like only a couple other matrons were joining in this free day. Girls with different sash arrangements were sprinkled all throughout.

"I wanted to take you to shoot some arrows, but probably don't want you doing that while you're still so sleepy. I'll show you some cool animals."

Brought outside the gate, and down a hill, she was met by a beautiful, crystal clear lake. Many warriors were already enjoying the water and sun. Splashing and swimming, lying in the sand. It was reminiscent of the waters in her mother's personal garden. When Mileena was home, they would play in it together, against their mother's wishes.

"I told you, there's more fun to be had, than sadness. With you here, it's been all fun for me."

Fully awake now, she challenged her sister to a race down the hill. Of course Mileena held back to stay with her. Kitana was impressed by how much less winded she was. If she could see improvement like this after one day, she could only imagine what a whole week could potentially do.

Before the moistened line of sand, they kicked off their shoes, then Mileena helped her roll up her pant leg and secure it. Her sister walked her away from the scattered other groups of girls. Under a dense canopy and high grass. It was amazing to her, how easily Mileena glided through the water. The slush below was sucking Kitana down with every step.

"You hear them? There's lots of animals here that you won't see at the castle. I wanted to bring some back, but mother said no."

So many sights and sounds. Bugs, lizards, furry creatures in the trees. Most of them looked familiar but foreign from what they had at home. Like the Umgadi themselves, this seemed to be a breeding ground for all kinds of life to come together.

"Hey, Leena, can I take my mask off? We're alone. I've had it on for days. It's making my face itch." They were completely alone, closed off by a wall of reeds and vines, still Mileena through cautious glances all around.

"I guess it should be fine here." She unhooked the fabric from behind her ears. "Wow, mother is going to be sore about this." She rubbed the groove left on her face.

Off in their own world, they studied the creatures and played in the water. They climbed the trees, and swung off low hanging branches. So close, yet so far from everything outside their shelter, it truly seemed as though only they were there. It was magical.

"This place is neat. Did you come here often?" Settling together on a branch she watched her feet dangle above the water, while Mileena was able to easily dip her toes in. "Do you think I'll still be smaller than you when we're older?"

"Probably." She put an arm around her shoulder. "I didn't come here a lot. I don't...really like being alone. The other girls wouldn't come here with me. Being in here, by myself is kind of scary. It's better with someone else, because I can show you all the cool things and I'm not worried about the other stuff."

"What other stuff?"

"The stuff in my mind I guess. That's what matron says. Fear is in the mind. At least, when you know nothing is there to hurt you." She hopped down into the water, with minimal splashing. "You're awake enough for archery now. Let's go."

Being thrown back into the fray gave her the extra boost she needed to wake up from the dreamy moment she shared with her twin. All the energy and liveliness of the other girls fueled her intrigue for this new activity. At home her father would never let her do these things with Mileena. He always promised to teach her how, so she would be able to participate, but never had the time.

As they awaited their turn, the matron came to watch over them. Mileena's enthusiasm dimmed. She made sure they were never facing the woman at the same time, so she wouldn't notice how similar they looked. When Kitana finally had the quiver in her hand, matron Dahlila joined her side.

"Your form, is off."

"I'm showing her miss." Said Mileena.

"Is your form also this...improper?"

Before Kitana knew what was going on, she was being pulled and repositioned in every which way. Her clothes, limbs, her weapon. Everything was being dragged around by the matron.

"No, it's not." Mileena snatched the bow and arrow from Kitana. As quickly as she drew it, it was embedded in the middle of the target on the other side of the field.

"Impeccable, my queen." The matron clapped for her, inspiring a round of applause from the other girls in line. She left them after her little interference, but Mileena wasn't as involved afterward. The other girls helped Kitana get the hang of things. Mileena was pretty hands off until an arrow was nearly let go into the crowd behind them.

The rest of the afternoon was spent goofing off and chatting. By evening, come the end of dinner, it was at last time for that hot bath they were promised. The older girls had been chopping wood all day. Now it was their job to collect it and help set up the pits. They worked tirelessly for hours. When it got dark they were given torches and told to continue with little supervision.

Kitana found the responsibilities placed on them were strenuous. "They don't have servants, or mothers and fathers to do this for them."

"Yeah, but this is a lot. The matrons are kind of like mothers. They should be doing this." Mileena just smiled at her and took another log, lightening her load. "Do you like it better like this?" She whispered.

"I...well, at home it's not so bad. Running my own bath water, or getting my own food. But, I wouldn't mind father maybe doing this part." Mileena snickered. "They can't hold our hands. I don't mind it so much, maybe because I don't have to do it all the time. When I start living here though..."

"Do you want to live here?"

"I want to do what is best for Outworld. If that means me living here, then yes. I do."

"Oh...okay. I'm going to miss you."

"Hey, don't cry, alright. I'm going to miss you too. But when I'm queen, and I fix everything, we can do all kinds of fun things. And we'll be adults so mother and father won't be able to stop us from doing whatever we want." She went quiet for a minute. "I won't be able to change everything, but I might change some things about this place. It's not like they don't have families, they just don't know them. I don't feel like having a family has made me a bad warrior. Do you?"

"No. I think you fight very well. You're really smart, and very strong."

More than the bath, Kitana was elated to know their clothes would also be getting washed. The amenities from home were sorely missed, this was a pretty nice consolation. The group of girls they went in with were kind and helpful. They enjoyed Mileena's stories about the palace, in turn they shared details about things she'd missed while being home. It was a fun and relaxing time all around.

On the walk back to their sleeping quarters, matron Dahlila called Mileena to her. She was sitting among the other matrons. Mileena probably meant to leave her behind, but for some reason she dragged Kitana with her. Kitana tried her best to stay out of the light. Li Mei was there and would surely recognize her if she got a good enough look.

"You've just gotten out of the bath haven't you? Was it to your liking?" Mileena confirmed it was indeed. "Do you know what goes great with a bath?" The matron held a small cup up to Mileena's mouth. "A swallow of mead. I believe you're old enough."

"Dahlila." Li Mei gasped. "Have you lost your mind? You cannot give,"

"I'm sure she gets much finer drinks at the palace. Your parents allow you a small taste, with dinner I assume?"

"Even if it's true, that is their decision. Not yours."

"She is under my care Li Mei. Calm yourself."

"Yeah Li Mei." Another woman from the circle chimed in. "I let my girls have a little here and there and they're much younger." The other women threw in their comments siding with matron Dahlila.

"She's, different."

"Why?" Dahlila tilted the cup against Mileena's lips. "Because she's the future queen, or because she has parents who might be upset on her behalf? I'm treating her as I would any of my other girls. I know how different she is. How, special she is." She swiped a few drops from Mileena's chin. "Can't afford to waste this. Unlike the king and queen, it's not easy for us to come by. Remember how different your subjects live than you."

"Run along girls." Li Mei smiled to them. "Dahlila, you've seem to have had too much and we've only just sat down. I'd assume that of the rest of you, if you're giving babies spirits. For being so worried about our supply, I'd think you wouldn't give it to the children." Everyone laughed.

Leisa and Khameleon joined them on their mats before bed. "That was great wasn't it?"

"Yes, when do you think the next one will be?" Kitana asked.

"Next month if we're lucky. Cold water might be better for training but nothing beats a hot bath. It must be amazing getting to do this whenever you want. I bet you take about two or three baths a day, right Mileena?"

"No." She giggled. "Just one. I'm sure my mother would like it if I took more. Being away does make me miss it."

"A mom, and a warm bath. Must be nice." Instead of responding, Mileena collapsed beside Kitana, hugging her, muttering her name. "What's gotten into her? To just go to sleep like that. She must be dreaming about that little sister of hers."

"Mileena? Are you alright?"

"Yes, Kitana. Just, tired." Her words ran together almost unintelligibly. "Blanket please." Trying quickly to silence her she threw their sheet over her.

"She sounds like she got into one of matron Dahlila's drinks. Remember when Lulu got into some? She was talking all strange and passed out like two seconds later. They ought to use that stuff in assassinations."

"They are taken for recreation. They aren't potent enough to be useful as a weapon Leisa."

"How do you know Khameleon?"

"She told us. You don't pay attention. You're the one who asked if it could be used in such a way."

"I guess I should pay more attention."

The tent flaps whooshed open, in walked the matron. Everyone was quiet until she gave them a warm smile and stepped off to the side. She was coming straight for their little group. Kitana kept her head down.

Matron Dahlila tucked the sheet more securely around Mileena. "I hope you girls aren't bothering her. She needs her rest." She unwrapped Mileena's arms from around Kitana's body. "Remember, we must not be a hindrance."

"Yes matron." Leisa and Khameleon flipped over, disconnecting themselves from the three.

"You've seem to have taken a fancy to her. Remember your place little one." The matron's slender hand firmly separated her from her sister. "You don't have the luxury of being ignorant. One transgression could mean the forfeit of your life. Age will not spare you. She is not Umgadi. Keep your distance."

She was neither aggressive nor threatening, yet something in her words were, alarming. She made her afraid to be near her sister. She made Mileena out like some bratty tyrant who went around calling for the execution of anyone who slightly annoyed her.

Inching over to Leisa, Kitana waited until the matron left to ease back over to Mileena's side. "When you asked before, why we're not friends, well, it's not just because she's gone so much. Matron Dahlila says it wouldn't be right for us to be friends with her. She isn't Umgadi, we're beneath her. Getting close to her, puts us all in danger."

"How?"

Khameleon appeared beside her. "If she sees us as friends, instead of guards, she might be less inclined to allow us to protect her. Outworld needs its queen. Not, us. Matron says it's foolish that they send her here. But you aren't supposed to say anything to her. Royals are strange. They do strange things."

"What do you mean she's not Umgadi? She's, honorary,"

"There's no such thing. Her parents declined a proper initiation at birth. Matron says her mock membership undermined Umgadi tradition so bad, we lost nearly a third of our numbers. It's the reason there are no Shokan or Centaur members anymore. She says her coming here is mostly to manipulate the people. To make them give up their daughters, while the king and queen pretend to give theirs." She sensed the anger in her voice despite how quiet and calm she was being. "If she wasn't here, I might have gotten to know my family." As the girl's lips began to quiver, she turned away from them.

From that day forward, Kitana understood Mileena's feelings toward the girls who treated her so terribly. She was homesick, in a way she'd never been before. The longer she spent with them, all she could think about was the fact they had nowhere to go after this. If something happened to her parents, she could be stuck here. If conflict broke out, Mileena would be whisked off to safety, if Kitana wasn't at her side at all times, she risked being left behind to deal with whatever threat came to challenge them. Never would she harbor an ill feeling toward her twin, but she was scared, she wanted to go home.

For Mileena's sake, she kept these thoughts to herself. It had been over a week, her parents had to be back now, and they were probably on the way after reading her note. She would gladly be sentenced to her room. Being home with them would be a blessing.

Somehow, without her speaking her feelings, she knew her sister could read what was not written.

"Kitana, mother and father should be coming for you soon. We may not see each other for a long time."

"Yeah?"

"Despite what they say, I'm, not Umgadi. Not yet. But matron Dahlila says I can be."

"Okay? How?"

"A real initiation."

"A real initiation? What's that?"

"A ceremony that will make me an official member. It's private, and only Umgadi warriors can know about it, but since we might not see each other for a long time, I wanted to do it while you were here."

"Will the ceremony be held in front of everyone?"

"No. It's private. It's never been done before. There's never been someone like me. It was devised special for me. It will make everything better. They'll see me as one of them. It'll make up for what mother and father did. Maybe even the Shokans and Centaurs will return." She grinned. "Wouldn't that be something?"

"Yeah, it would be. What do you have to do for this initiation? Isn't there usually a task to complete first?"

"I don't know exactly what I have to do." She pushed her hair up showing the shaved sides. "But I am preparing for it. She gave me a haircut this morning. She said tonight before we get started, she'll draw us a bath."

"She didn't tell you what you have to do?"

"No. I can't tell you anything else, I've actually already said too much, but I'm just so excited."

"Well, that's great. I'd like to see how things will be different. Maybe you can actually make friends here. They'll all be nice to you."

"It-it's not about them being nice, it's about me taking my vows seriously, and doing what I can as a princess now to lessen mother and father's burden. I have to fix this. It's my fault."

"What is?"

"Everything. I can't explain it all, it's just a lot. Matron Dahlila says when mother didn't let them take me and raise me here, it started a lot of trouble. A lot of people suffered. For no reason, because mother was selfish."

Kitana could feel the might in her sister's voice. She wanted to speak up and defend their mother's actions. She liked that Mileena wasn't taken away when they were babies. She enjoyed growing up with her sister. She couldn't imagine never having met her. That didn't seem selfish to her.

"Father agrees. She said she spoke with him and he too believes it's time I act more accordingly. That I start making good decisions on my own."

"It's really that important? This, initiation is going to do a lot huh?"

"Yeah...it's to help me, be a better queen."

"And it's tonight?"

"Yes."

She could see anxious anticipation on her sister's face. She looked proud yet nervous. Kitana's knowledge on initiations was limited. She had only seen a couple. They were all held in front of a large crowd and usually she was only privy to the end of the ceremony. Any task that needed to be completed were done beforehand. This was a private matter, that even Mileena wasn't allowed to know about until she was faced with it. She did not envy her sister's position.

"You will do great. No matter what."

"Thank you."

Watching the sunrise and set on these campgrounds had become a ritual of the sorts for Kitana. Always wondering which sunrise or sunset would be the final one before she was back in that rickety carriage on the way home. What if her parents came early and took her away before Mileena's ceremony? Would they make Mileena leave too? They were bound to be highly upset. As bad as Kitana wanted to take the blame, Mileena likely wouldn't let her. But they couldn't just take her away.

"Xandra, you have to stop zoning out. You're slowing us down."

Not allowing herself to take in her surroundings or situation, Kitana began sprinting forward as fast as she could. She tripped over the girl in front of her, knocking her to the ground. That girl knocked over another. The final girl dragged down with them happened to be carrying two pails of water.

"You idiot."

Kitana threw her head back trying to avoid the slap coming her way. The girl lunged at her, tearing her mask off in the process. Her get away was interrupted by the girls behind them still standing around. This time when the girl reached for her, she was able to yank her back by her shoulder sashes.

"Why don't you watch where you're going, princess."

Their minor disruption got the attention of the matron. No matter how quickly she tried to redress her face, the other girls were already whining to her about how Mileena had caused a big commotion. Matron Dahlila was already helping her up and walking her away before she could protest the mix up.

"What happened?"

"It was an accident miss. I just got distracted and,"

"Were you thinking about...tonight? Is that what has you so unfocused? I told you it would be better if you took the day off." The further away she took them from the other girls, the more fearful she became. There were a couple differences she was bound to notice.

"Matron Dahlila, it's fine. It was just an accident. I'm alright. I can go,"

"I don't want you to be stressed out. Today will be the last day you will be treated like a princess. Allow me to spoil you." Unsure of how to dissuade her, she tried to find Mileena in the crowd and look for some type of guidance. She wasn't out there. "It might still take them some time to warm up to you, but you understand, things won't change, right away. Not with them. But I'll be able to do so much more for you."

Pulled into a tent she didn't recognize, Kitana stopped resisting. Mileena never got in trouble, the few times she'd been taken away by the matron, all she ever did was talk to her. As long as Kitana kept her distance, and her head down, she could probably get out of this with very little problems.

"I won't be able to look over your shoulder anymore. You'll be expected to keep up your appearance yourself." She turned around with a new uniform in her hand. "Had this happened a little later in the day, we could have gone straight to the bath." A hand reached out, grabbing her leg just above her knee. "Soaked, just as I thought."

She hadn't even realized she had been splashed. Not even the chill she was now experiencing had been noticed before. She could have started shivering she was so cold. Her clothes were in such disarray, a tug and a pull in a few directions and they could all come right off. Air was drafting through all the loose parts, blowing right over her moist skin.

Both her wrists were seized by the matron. "Mileena, please don't be difficult. And, I don't mean just now. Tonight, during your ceremony, I expect you to be, a bit more mature than you normally are. I know, you know what that means. I respect you, as my queen. The people's pain, is the queen's burden. Any pain, or discomfort you feel, is nothing compared to what they feel. It is your duty to endure it. In return, it is our duty to serve you. This is a commitment, that must be renewed. Just as your father sees the importance in reaching the people through us, you must too. Do you understand?"

"Yea-yes." A hand came up to caress the side of her face. She was fighting to keep her head down, and her face out of view. "I understand."

"I wish I could take this nervousness away from you. I wish I could tell you everything, to put your mind at ease. But I can't. This is a sacred rite. One that must stay between us." The hand she had on Kitana's face was applying more pressure, trying to get her head up. "Mileena, look at me."

During the small struggle, something outside the tent, loudly struck it three times. The dry clothes were thrust into her chest. Matron Dahlila tore the flaps open and walked out. She heard her sternly talking to someone outside. Seconds later, they were all walking away.

Shaken from the ordeal, she was reminded of her current state and the chill coming over her. Hastily tearing at her clothes she was trying desperately to disrobe and redress before the matron returned. Wet fabric clung to her skin, the sashes tightened when she wanted them loose. The sound of footsteps were all around. They all seemed to be coming closer to the tent.

"Kitana?" At the entrance was Mileena with a mask covering the lower half of her face.

"Help me, I can't get them off." Unable to walk with how badly she'd tangled herself up, she was again hoisted off the ground by her sister. Mileena carried her and her fresh clothes all the way back to their sleeping quarters. She peeked under the side, made sure the coast was clear, then pulled her under. Seconds later, her wet clothes were discarded.

"We...we have to get you home. This wasn't a good idea. I was wrong, selfish. After tonight I have to take my responsibilities seriously. You're a princess. Not a warrior. You could be seriously hurt here. I shouldn't have asked you to come. I was being childish. Tomorrow morning, I'll tell the matron, and she'll get you home. Hopefully mother and father aren't back yet and don't know. I'll still have to tell them, and accept my punishment. But you have to go home."

"Alright..." Mileena tugged the final strap threw its loop, then dusted her off. "Mileena, is this ceremony going to hurt?"

"Huh? Did she say something to you?"

"She said, any pain or discomfort you feel, isn't going to be as bad as what everyone else does. Mileena, what do you have to do? Why won't she tell you?"

"Because, I didn't go through with it before, when I said I would. I was scared."

"Why?"

"She said, I'd have to break my vows. Vows that we take very seriously. Ones that make all of them great warriors."

"What vows?"

All the worry she'd had before was replaced by restrained fear. "Vows of," She leaned close, cupping her hand around Kitana's ear. "Celibacy."

"What's that?" Kitana whispered in return.

"I don't know. She brought it up during my second year as her apprentice. I would have asked mother, but I know she doesn't like all of this that much. And father, he'd just think I wasn't paying attention. I should know what it means. These are my vows. It's an important rule."

"Why don't you just...ask the matron?"

As Mileena was forming her answer, Leisa stuck her head inside the tent, yelling for everyone to come to evening lessons and meditation. If Mileena was actually going to go through with her plan, tonight would be the last night she would be attending. By tomorrow evening, she could be in a carriage, on her way home. She wouldn't see how Mileena fared as an accepted warrior. According to the matron, not much was set to change right away anyhow. Did Mileena know that? She seemed to be under the assumption everything would change immediately.

The sun was hidden, the dreary sky overhead was still bright enough to force Kitana's head down during the walk to the meditation zone. A quiet area near a large field of crops. No one was out during a meditation session. These were regarded as highly necessary moments of reflection, not to be disturbed for any reason outside survival. The matron said it was crucial to be able to quiet the world and think without haste, at a moment's notice. To go within one's self, effectively stopping the world outside, to understand it better. First, she had to set the foundation by teaching them how to reach that place, in the calmest atmosphere.

Before they were to start, the matron gathered them around to absorb a spiritual lesson. Sitting atop her small boulder, she called Leisa to sit before her. She raked her hands through her hair then began to braid it.

"What is it, that makes a strong warrior?"

No one was quick to give an answer. It came out like a straightforward question, but they all knew better. "Strength?" A meek reply came from somewhere in the crowd.

"A vague answer. Correct. Strength comes in many forms. But has only one meaning. A strong body is useless if the mind is weak. Just as a strong mind is useless, if the body is incapable. You can out think your opponent all day, if your body is not up to the task, you will fail."

A girl with a mask covering the top half of her face, raised her hand. "What if you cannot fix an incapable body?"

The matron smiled, even though the girl could not see it. "There is no way to break a blade, where it won't cut. As I said, strength comes in many forms. But it has only one meaning. Some of us may need a little more help than others, but we will reach all of our strengths. It is the reason for our vows as warriors. It is to cultivate, undivided strength." Finished with Leisa's hair, she waved Mileena over next. Her hair was pulled back, showing off the shaved sides. She was much more delicate with her, carefully cradling each strand and parting the inky blackness like water with her nails. "What is weakness?"

This time, no one had an answer. All the girls looked at each other, the field, the sky. The answer was nowhere to be found.

Matron Dahlila waited until she finished the single braid she put in Mileena's hair. It blended in nicely with the rest of her hair. It reminded Kitana of some of the older girl's hairstyles.

"This, is weakness." She bent forward, reaching her hand around Mileena, resting it over her chest. "When it is, uncontrolled. Weakness, is control, that is out of your control." She appeared to put a bit of pressure in her hand. "What makes your heart beat, so fast?" She said the question as though it were for all of them to answer, but she only looked at Mileena.

"Fear? Anticipation? Running?" The girls threw out answer after answer.

Matron laughed, then put her other hand on Mileena's head, petting her in a calming manner. "With training, all of that can be controlled, physically. But this," She squeezed Mileena's chest, right over her heart. "Can only be controlled so much. It is the crux of your vows. It is why you are separated from your families. To control your hearts more effectively. The love of a mother, is controlling. The love of a father, brother, sister, these are anchors on the heart, tethers that make it easier to control."

"Then why do we call each other sisters? If family is a weakness?" The voice came from behind Kitana, so she couldn't see who had said it.

"Because you are sisters. Sisters in battle. You are children now, so it may seem strange. But once you are older, and have truly tasted battle, you will see. I don't wish it on any of you, but, you will unfortunately likely lose each other. Combat, is a cruel part of life. But because you will have been brought up as warriors, you will be in control of your grief. Your hearts will not be hindrances, they will be fueled by loss, because you are Umgadi. When you are within yourselves today, I want you to think about what takes your control away, and work on taking it back."

Her own heart was beating painfully against her chest. This would be the first time she attempted to address the matron directly. She didn't know these vows. There was no way she could outright ask what they were, that would give her away. And if she asked what celibacy was, that might give Mileena away. Her hand was already up. Luckily, the matron was still focused on Mileena. By time she looked up at them, Kitana had it back by her side.

"What about, the ones who can't let go of what controls them?" She recognized the voice as Elaine's.

The matron stood up, stretching her long legs. She extended a hand to Mileena, then put a hand on her shoulder. "We will give them the extra help they need. Remember what I asked of you. Begin your meditation."

As they were spreading out, Kitana watched her and Mileena walk back off into the trees. She was the only one paying attention to them, so no one else likely saw the little hut they were walking toward. It was hidden among a dense gaggle of trees and bushes. Had she not been watching them walk to it, she could have easily missed it, they would have appeared to vanish.

They walked around it, came back to the front, where Mileena stayed, while the matron went to the entrance and waved her over.

Everyone around her was meditating, sitting with their eyes closed, sleeping, whispering. Her eyes were glued on the hut. Meditation was half over before they reemerged. Mileena took a seat among the rest of the girls. The matron resumed watching over them, quieting the girls who had been talking, giggling over the girls who had fallen asleep.

That bright dreary sky had darkened considerably as they were finally heading back. So close to bed time, they were given free reign until lights out. She lost sight of Mileena once they were on campgrounds.

Having nothing to do and no one to talk to, she wandered aimlessly, committing everything to memory, as this would be her last night here. She had to remember to remind Mileena to get her clothes from the secret place near the dent.

On the other side of the small forest that divided the camp, Kitana watched all the other girls preparing for the night. They put up the torches, played with the little ones, put away unused supplies. At home, she rarely got to see the castle being settled for the night. Come bed time their bedroom quarters were deathly silent. She was lucky to hear some people out in the courtyard having a drink or gossiping. She liked a bit of noise. Since she'd gotten here she tried to make sure she was on her sleeping mat in time for the camp ambiance to put her to sleep. She had grown accustomed to the sounds of sparring and stoking the fire. It was among the many things she would miss about this place.

"Oh, there you are. I was looking for you." Mileena ran up beside her. "You look tired. You should be heading to bed."

"If it's really my last night here, I want to remember everything. It was, kinda fun. I liked being here with you."

"I liked having you here."

Her sister's arm around her neck felt much heavier than usual. She must have been much more tired than she let on. "Is it really going to be tonight?"

"Yes. I have to leave soon. It's not going to be at camp."

"It's going to be in that little hut by the meditation zone?"

Mileena withdrew her arm. "You saw it?" Kitana nodded. "You were supposed to be meditating."

"What was in there?"

She didn't answer right away. "I guess it won't hurt to tell you. Oils, candles, really soft pillows on the floor. There was more, but she didn't show me. She said depending on how I recover, we might be out there all night."

"Recover? Mileena...are you sure about this?" The avoidant glances said all she needed them to. "Maybe you should wait, until next year. You're staying longer this time right? Or maybe you should just ask mother and father? Even though you sleep during lessons sometimes, you still know them. It's not like you aren't smart. And you fought very well against the older girls. You run very far, very fast. You do a lot. And you never ask anything. You just do it. They shouldn't be upset with you for asking just one question."

"Kitana, it'll...it'll be fine. I mean, I won't be done with my initiation like I thought, but it's nothing I can't handle. I'm sure of it."

"What do you mean you won't be done with it?"

"Well, tonight, is like a task, a trial, she said. It's the beginning of my rite of passage."

"You don't have to tell me...but has she at least told you what you have to do now?"

Mileena separated even more from her and sat crouched down on the ground. "Not...exactly, but,"

"Well, if you don't know what she means, and she won't tell you, you should ask someone else. Like Li Mei. Let's go ask her, I think I saw her go in that tent."

"I can't. We're all Umgadi yes, but I have to confer with my matron, and trust her word. Asking another matron, about something like this, it would be disrespectful."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"I...I just have to trust her. I have to agree."

"Agree to what? You don't even know if it's something you can do."

"She wouldn't ask me to do anything I couldn't."

"Why did you wait so long then? Why were you nervous?"

Mileena put her head down on her raised knees. "I don't know. She just makes me nervous. She's...nice. But sometimes,"

"I think she's strange. She should already be treating you like a proper Umgadi in training. Not making you prove yourself. And if there is some initiation thing you have to do, she should make sure you understand it. That's not fair." Fed up with her sister's mistreatment, Kitana hopped to her feet, running full force toward Li Mei's tent.

Seeming not to care about them being stared at, Mileena was right on her heels. Years of training gave her an incredible boost. She was already tickling the back of Kitana's neck, even with her late start. A group of girls started cheering them on, likely thinking they were in some kind of race.

"Stop." That pain in her sister's harsh raspy whisper gave Kitana the strength to push just a little harder. She was a hair away from touching the outer flaps. She reached out a hand just grazing the fabric. Then she was rolling around in the dirt, with her sister's full weight holding her. "Go back to your sleeping quarters, now."

"No. Why can't I ask her? I'm trying to help you."

"It's not allowed. I'm trying to take my responsibilities seriously. I'm going to be living here, rather I want to or not. I'll figure it out. But you're going to make things harder for me. You get to leave. If I complete this rite of passage, she'll make everything better. They will respect me as a proper Umgadi warrior. Then things won't be so bad."

"They're jealous of you, she won't change that. All she can do is make them stop being mean to you. They won't like you. They're jealous you have a family. They say I'm not your sister when you're here, and they are, but they don't even treat you like a sister. If you want to do this, and you have so much faith she's going to fix it, let me ask."

"No, Umgadi rules say,"

Kitana shrugged her sister off her. "I'm not Umgadi." She didn't want Mileena to fight her, but seeing her look so sad as she walked toward Li Mei's, made her slow her steps. "Tell them it was me. I was curious. I am. I just want to know. I'm already going to be in trouble for being here. I don't mind. Okay?" Mileena nodded then sat on the outside of the entrance. Taking a deep breath, Kitana moved the flaps back and stepped inside.

Small decorative lanterns gave the tent a nice warm glow. Li Mei was sitting at her desk, scribbling on something. She hadn't noticed Kitana yet. It wasn't until she was already inside that she realized, her mask had fallen off. Keeping her head down, she walked over to two huge sitting pillows, in the furthest corner from Li Mei. It was still only a few feet from her, but in this light, this far away, maybe her identity could remain hidden.

A timid call for attention stuttered out of her quivering lips. "Li-Li Mei?"

Li Mei looked confused at first, looking toward her papers, then the entrance, then finally down at Kitana. Her eyes narrowed in on her, she shook her head then came over. "Ki-Kitana?"

"N-No!" Trying to hide her face she tucked her head down until her chin was touching her chest. "It's me...Mileena. I-I have a question."

"Oh...Alright..." Thankfully she took a seat on the pillow next to her, so they were no longer facing each other. "I hope I have the answer. Please, ask."

Now that she was here, she wasn't sure how to approach the situation. Recalling everything Mileena had said, and the words they hadn't understood, she figured getting definitions was the best place to start. "What does, celibacy mean?"

"It depends on how it's used. But, I'm guessing you mean in reference to Umgadi vows." Kitana nodded. "Well, in our ways, it means to abstain, or not participate in marriage, or relations."

That answer had given her way more questions than it solved. "How...what, what does it mean though? It means you can't have a family?"

"Something like that. It's a bit more complicated. A little over the head, of a little one like you. It isn't something you should be worrying about for another hundred or two years." Her tender laughter, and hand waving over her head calmed Kitana. "Why do you ask? Were you eavesdropping on the older girls again?"

Wishing she could lean against her, she wiggled around on her pillow and readied herself for a lengthy lesson. Now she could ask. "I need some help with my, Umgadi rite of passage."

"Rite of passage?"

"Yes. So I can be a real warrior. Not just an honorary one."

She smirked. "You are a real warrior. You are, the firstborn daughter, aren't you? That's the only way to be Umgadi. It's tradition. You are special, because you are the king's daughter, but you are no less Umgadi. Is someone giving you a hard time? Are the other girls teasing you?"

Everything she'd seen made her want to scream out about the teasing, belittlement and outright violence Mileena had suffered. Li Mei was kind, she would do something about it. But Mileena wanted to do things this way. She didn't want to get those girls in trouble, they were her sisters when she was here. The ritual was the main focus. She had to find out what she had to do.

"No."

"Then what do you mean rite of passage? You have a ways to go before any grand ceremonies or challenges are due." Li Mei stretched out and lied back. "This rite of passage, had something to do with celibacy?" Kitana nodded again. "Alright, explain it to me, as it was explained to you."

Li Mei waited patiently beside her while she tried to recall Mileena's retelling word for word. "Since I will not be expected to honor my vow of celibacy, I should give myself to an Umgadi first, to prove my commitment and loyalty. How do I give myself to an Umgadi? What does that mean?"

Coming up off the pillow, she steadied her feet out in front of her, sitting straight up, no longer relaxed. "Interesting. Who said this to you?"

"I, I just want to know what it means."

"I too would like to know what it means." She softened again. "We are all Umgadi, and follow the same rules, but sometimes our methods of teaching, differ. I would like to speak to the person who said this to you, so I can better understand it myself."

"It was...matron, Dahlila."

"Thank you. I'll go speak with her right away." Li Mei grabbed a staff from her weapon rack. "You stay here."

Following with her eyes she watched the older woman leave the tent, only to return a few seconds later after a light scuffle, with Mileena in tow.

"Li Mei please don't say anything." Mileena fought every step of the way, having no effect on Li Mei.

"Calm yourself princess. You are not in any trouble, with me. Do your parents know she is here?"

Watching her sister tear up, she answered in her place. "No."

"So, they probably have no idea where you are?" She nodded. "That's not good. But it's easily remedied. Lets get back to the matter of your matron." She gently set Mileena on the pillow next to Kitana. "Can you explain to me what's been going on?"

Mileena remained tight lipped. In anticipation of some retaliation, Kitana scooted away from her. "The other girls have been teasing her. They've been very mean to her." She flinched as Mileena reared up on her knees with her fists raised. Li Mei, guided her back down and kept a hand on her shoulder. "Matron Dahlila doesn't stop them. She says Mileena isn't a proper Umgadi so they don't have to treat her nice. But she would make them, if she proved herself."

"Through this rite of passage." Li Mei wiped Mileena's wet eyes. "Is all this true Mileena?"

"Mileena, Li Mei said we're not in trouble. You can tell her. She's going to help."

She was heaving now. "Just tell me what I have to do! You know what it means. Why do you have to talk to her? She's waiting for me."

"When did all this start?"

"A couple years ago. When she became her matron."

"Kitana shut up!"

"Mileena, you are not in trouble. You haven't done anything wrong. But Dahlila has. She needs to be...spoken with."

"Why?" Mileena latched onto Li Mei's arm. "Why Li Mei?"

"Her treatment of you has been most inappropriate, as an Umgadi, and a member of the royal family. If she's teaching you incorrectly, and allowing your sisters to harm you, she's teaching them incorrectly too. It needed to be brought to our attention." She pulled Mileena into a tight hug. "I do not doubt your loyalty. I see how much it hurt you. You are not betraying your matron or your sisters. Rest here, while I go see to this matter."

When they were alone Mileena crashed face down on the pillow. Her shoulders shook, her whines were full on muffled screams. It made Kitana tear up herself.

"What's wrong Mileena? She said she was wrong, not you. We're okay."

Her head turned just enough to free her mouth. Her words were distorted through the pants and cries. "She said, she said it would cause problems if I said something. She said my sisters would suffer. They've already given so much, it's not fair. Even if she wanted me to beg for their acceptance, it's nothing compared to what they've sacrificed. Without Umgadi support, mother and father will lose favor with the people of Outworld. Then we'll go to war again, people will die. It will be all my fault, because I didn't just do it. I promised father I would try." She went back to heavily screeching into the pillow.

Not knowing how else to calm her distraught twin, she rubbed her back and shoulders. Minutes later, the angry heaving was replaced by exhausted purring. Curling up beside her, Kitana tried to fall asleep herself.

Outside, that soothing ambiance turned to screams and many feet shuffling around. Weapons clashing, tents collapsing. Every sound that made it through the flaps was telling of chaos. Something big was going on.

Whatever it was, Li Mei knew they were both here. She would protect them. The noise was getting closer. Scared as she was, she crawled over to the entrance and sealed it. She then moved Mileena next to Li Mei's desk, where she could build them a little barricade under it with the sitting pillows. Tucked away, hidden together, the noise was brought back to a muffled ruckus. Like this, she could pretend it was the normal settling sounds of camp. Bunched up, in tight, cramped, warm darkness, she could pretend they were back in their sleeping quarters. Like this, she could get some rest too.

"Come girls, it is time to go."

Just as they had on their first day, they were leaving before the sun rose. Li Mei loaded them into a carriage driven by two other Umgadi members. Kitana wanted to say goodbye to the other girls, but wasn't allowed. Mileena wasn't in a very social mood. She did however make several pleas to speak with her matron.

"Is she upset with me? Why doesn't she want to talk to me? I'm supposed to stay for six months. Why are you making me leave? Am I being kicked out?"

Li Mei waited for Mileena to calm herself before answering. "You are not being kicked out princess. We have to explain some things to your parents."

"Explain what? That I snuck Kitana in?"

"Yes. That was very dangerous."

"And then I'll be back? Then I can finish my training? I can stay for the whole year if you want. I'm not sad about it anymore. Please just let me come back."

"Mileena...I can't promise you anything. Aside from your sister's presence, we have other things to discuss. I'd rather wait until we are with your parents." As Mileena was about to rile herself up again, Li Mei quieted her questions. "We have a long journey ahead of us. It is still very early. You are still tired, I can tell. Please, try and get back to sleep."

The new experiences kept compounding. The trip there and back were so different, yet equally tiring. She greatly enjoyed Li Mei's company. She took extra special care of them during the journey and in the castle. Mileena sulked, pretty much staying by herself even after they reached home. They made it before their parents. As much as Kitana would have liked to use that time to work on their story, Mileena would hear none of it. Three days came and went. On the fourth day, mid afternoon, their parents burst through the doors of the study. Apparently they had stopped by the camp on their way back and gotten an earful.

Despite the fact a well deserved punishment was on the horizon, Kitana wouldn't be deterred from embracing her mother and father. Being away from them and her home, had been a lot to take all at once. The comforts of her dwellings weren't complete without them.

"I hope you enjoyed your time outside these walls, because you're going to be seeing the inside of them for a very long time. Do you know how dangerous what you did was? Anything could have happened to you." She was drowned in her mother's kisses between reprimands. "Next time you'll just come with us and be bored out of your mind. Do you understand me?"

"Yes mother."

Even though her father's arms were around her and her mother, his eyes were on Mileena. "While I am glad you're safe, we will be discussing how foolish what you did was, at a later time. Mileena, come here." Mileena stayed seated on an ottoman beside Li Mei.

"Mileena, as an Umgadi warrior, you must show the upmost respect to the king." At her urging, Mileena stood, with her head down and walked toward her family.

"Mileena?"

"How...how do I fix it father? I'm sorry for everything. I made Kitana come with me. I was afraid to move forward with my training, but I'm not now. Make them take me back."

"Mileena," He placed his mighty hands on her shoulders. "You won't be going back. We cannot excuse this."

"Excuse what? It was my fault!"

"No my love. It was mine. Too many times I have let my ideals and faith in the Umgadi rule my decision making. They are supposed to protect the royal family, and you've been endangered by them, more than once. Twice from their own members."

"My king, if I may,"

"You may not." Her mother stomped up to Li Mei, putting herself between her and Mileena. "We trusted you. If she has harmed my daughter, in any way, she won't be the only one facing execution."

"Execution? Matron Dahlila? Why?" Mileena backed herself away from their parents. She was inconsolable now. "You can't kill her. She was trying to help me. She told me, and I broke my vows. I dishonored my teachings. If you kill her, my sisters, they will have no one. If you don't let me go back, the people of Outworld will stop working together again. They will fight, we'll be back in war times."

After her parents attempts at regulating her didn't work, Li Mei stepped in. "Mileena, do you believe matron Dahlila harmed you?"

"No! She was trying to fix things. The other girls, they wouldn't see me as Umgadi. She wouldn't force them, because they had a right to their pain."

"A woman's life does hang in the balance. If she did nothing wrong, then you can tell us what she did do, and we can clear her name. I'm sure your parents will reconsider if everything is as it should be." Li Mei shot a side eye to her father.

"Of...course Mileena. If everything is right, you can return. We will even invite your matron here, to personally apologize. Right, my queen?"

Whatever they were trying to do, her mother was not going for it. "For the sake of you, and every woman and child who calls themselves Umgadi, you had better pray everything is as it should be. Or we will see just how necessary the Umgadi are to the structure of Outworld. My hand will not be stayed this time."

When Li Mei tried to offer Mileena a hand, their mother slapped it away. Their father opted to move the conversation to a more private setting. Kitana had a small part in all of it. She was asked what she observed, how her visit went, then she was sent out of the room. Happy to be moving freely, and currently not under punishment, she pranced around to all her favorite places. The kitchen, the garden, her room. She didn't see her parents, sister or Li Mei for hours.

In her quiet lonely reflection, she did miss the other girls. She had never known what it was like to long for company outside her sister or parents. Now she had many people to miss. Were she still there, today, she would be running with them. Then lessons, sparring, dinner. What she did at the castle when Mileena was away, was never as full or exciting. With the way her mother and father were talking, perhaps things would be more bearable, if Mileena really wasn't going back.

"Mileena, wait." Her father's voice bounced off the walls, followed by the quick procession of small footsteps.

"Leave her alone Jerrod. She's fine. As fine as she can be." Her mother's voice was as tight and angry as it was when she was sent away.

"This is, unfortunate. I have enough information to launch a proper investigation when I return."

"Investigation? I want that woman dead."

"Sindel, I thought you would be thinking with a clearer head by now. We need to allow them to handle this."

"Jerrod, had Kitana not gone with her, Mileena would have been at that woman's mercy, for six months. Suppose this hadn't happened? Suppose we never found out? Years Jerrod, it could have been years she spent with that disgusting, vile,"

"I'm aware. They will deal with her."

"I don't want her dealt with, I want her dead. She doesn't need to be imprisoned, or reprimanded. She needs to be made an example out of. If she was bold enough to try this with our daughter, how many other girls has she possibly corrupted? You're always going on about trust, and the strength of the Umgadi. If the people knew they were handing their daughters over to sick,"

"My queen, this, cannot get out. It won't. I can promise you, we feel as strongly about this as you do. This is not just a trespass against the princess, it is against us all. If her head, on a platter is what you need to feel vindicated, you will have it in the time it takes me to return." Li Mei's voice was softer than usual. "I understand your anger, I do however wish there was some way Mileena could continue her training. She does well, exceptional even."

"With you all? Never again."

"I think it's best I take my leave now."

"As do I. I'll expect that platter in no more than a week."

She heard a little bit of slow walking, then Li Mei began speaking again. "I don't mean to overstep my boundaries. But, I really feel you should explain it to the princess. She was very dedicated to her squad, her teachings, and her matron. She was told there would be serious repercussions for speaking out. From her perspective, she is going to be responsible for Dahlila's punishment. I believe it would benefit both girls if you told them why Dahlila's actions are worthy of such harsh discipline."

After that statement, Kitana didn't feel like hearing any more. Whatever her parents weren't telling them sounded terrifying. Her mother spoke of many things in harsh, careless ways. Never had she heard her so callously talk about ending someone's life though. She spoke about matron Dahlila as though she weren't even a proper person. Like she was a bug. Kitana didn't want to know what danger Mileena had narrowly escaped. All the chaos she'd caused at camp that night...They were both safe now, Dahlila was gone.

Fleeing the scene she ended up back in her room. Just as it was the day before Kitana left with Mileena, her sister was in her room, soaking her pillow with tears. Having no idea what to say, not wanting to clue her in on what she'd heard after she'd run away, Kitana crawled in bed with her.

Unaware she'd fallen asleep, she awoke in the dead of night. From what she could gather, Mileena was still beside her, sleeping soundly.

"Kitana, you're awake?" Recognizing her father's voice, she wasn't afraid when it came from the shadows. He was sitting in a corner on the other side of the room. "Would you come here sweetheart? Try not to wake your sister. She's had, a hard day."

Sliding out of bed as silently as she could, she tiptoed over to her father. He gave the spot beside him on the couch a pat. For a long time, he said nothing.

"Father...are we still in trouble?"

"Do you think what you both did is worthy of just a conversation? It's bad enough we had to send one daughter away. Your mother and I would be devastated if something happened to one of you. But both of you? Seeing Mileena off is very important to us. The horrible feeling of wondering if this is the last time we see her. Had something happened to you, we'd forever be thinking about the last time we saw you, held you, kissed you. The last thing we said to you. I try my best, but there are people out there who don't like me. They would think nothing of hurting you girls to hurt me. If you girls were to be taken from us," He turned away from her to stare out her balcony window. "Outworld, would lose its future."

"I'm sorry father. It's just, Mileena was really sad. She was going away for a long time. I wouldn't have gotten the chance to say goodbye. And we left a note so you wouldn't worry."

When he turned back to look at her, she could feel the warmth of his smile even if she couldn't see it. "I am conflicted on how to handle this. A lot of this is, my fault. But, what you both did still needs some discipline."

"Your fault?"

"Yes. But, before we get into that, I'm very proud of the way you protected your sister. Mileena isn't always going to know when to put herself first. I see that I can count on you to remind her, she's important too. I feel, I've been neglecting your abilities. I should be nurturing you both to be your best. You're not just all the other pieces Mileena needs. You've got your own pieces to put together. It's not for sure. And I will have to convince your mother, easier said than done. How would you like to train too?"

"Train too?" Remembering all she'd experienced in Umgadi territory, she quickly considered everything that fell under training. "Well...I guess I would. I watched Mileena fight. Even though she got hit pretty hard, she wasn't down for long. She was great. And she runs far and fast. And she knows a lot, they learn so much. Yeah, yes I'd like to do that too." Her excitement turned to confusion. "You're, letting her go back?"

"No. You girls are getting bigger, more recognizable. It's too risky having you so far away. I shouldn't have let you get your hopes up, because I haven't discussed it with your mother yet. The Umgadi, I still have faith in them. How could I just, remove my daughter and leave everyone elses to fend for themselves? I need to give them a more, prominent position within the kingdom, so they can be more closely monitored so things like this don't happen again." He pulled her in, holding her close. "That's not for you to worry about. I'm sorry to have kept you up with my tiresome prattle. You need more rest."

Properly tucked in, her father feathered a kiss on them both, then left her to stew over his unexplained plans for their futures. Whatever he had in store, he was going to let them face it together. She wasn't as strong and capable as Mileena. If her father was willing to allow her to train too, she would do all she could to be an asset to her. She could not ease the burden of ruling, but she could protect her, love her, be kind to her. She would fill in the gaps where the Umgadi had failed.