Kiriena relished in the feel of her heart pounding as she completed her daily routine. Her hair and skin was already drenched in sweat but it felt quite good. She brushed the loose strands that ‘got away’ from her ponytail, tucking them behind one ear.

Her gi absorbed most of the moisture in her body but the looseness of the garment couldn’t hide her chest’s quick rise and fall. She was breathing hard, but exhaustion was only in the corners of her mind.

She passed as she surveyed the small stack of concrete blocks in front of her. It was time to end her lesson, and as usual she decided to end it with a breaking practice.

Dropping to her hands she started on completing 20 push ups on her knuckles first, readying them and in a way, numbing them. They grew stronger everyday, thanks to her constant practice.

Finally finished she kneeled in front of the blocks and with a cry drove her fist down, breaking them effortlessly. There was only a small pain as skin met concrete but she didn’t holdback, letting the small blocks crumble in the middle and the two halves separate.

The early morning was a traditionally slow time in the gym. With no classes scheduled to be held for several hours and few students willing to be up so early, the halls were only dimly lit by the off hours lighting. In contrast, the rooms remained fully lit, creating bright rectangles of yellow light that spilled into the halls at regular intervals. Lurking in the shadows, a large, black shape stirred just outside the range of light from an open door. Blue eyes narrowed as he watched the young student go through her routine. She seems accomplished enough, he decided as she moved through her exercises before finally finishing with a quick downward strike to a stack of cement blocks.

As she knelt in front of the broken blocks, resting momentarily from her workout, he stepped quietly into the room. Leaning against the frame of the door, he brought his hands together three times in a slow, almost sarcastic clap. "Very impressive. Interested in testing those skills against a real opponent, little one?" he said without a hint of malice or sarcasm.

Ki turned and almost did a double take. She blinked a few times, trying to make sure she understood the being in front of her.

She resisted the urge to run, knowing that running usually led to more... painfull experiences. BEsides if he wanteds to attack he would have done so by now.

She stood, gracefully, but her legs already starting to shake. She gave him a smile and bowed quickly.

"IM not in the best form right now, just finishing a work out" She smiled. MAybe she could reason with him. "Maybe tomorrow? or next week?"

"No," he answered, "I think today. Take your time and get your strength back." He stood casually by the door and watched as she stared at him. Her gi was formless enough to cover her body, preventing him from getting any real look at her body beyond a general impression over fitness. Still, he studied her as he waited for her answer. Her hair was pulled back into a long ponytail, the few strands of hair that escaped did nothing to disguise a graceful neck. His eyes slowly traced the curve of her neck, silently noting the thin sheen of sweat on her light brown skin. Continuing down her body, he caught the smooth rise and fall of her chest through her thick top and the slight shaking of her legs with a small frown.

As tired as she appeared to be, any fight today was going to be a farce, he realized. Still, honor must be upheld, he thought quietly as he stood and quietly waited.

She stood up gracefull but quick and walked to the bench. Picking up her bag she brought up the facade of preparing but already her mind was spinning with the situation.

She sat down on the bench, her eyes studying the place as she picked up a water bottle and tipped it taking a long drink. She exaled softly, already getting her breath back as she picked up her towel and wiped her face. She also retied her hair in neater ponytail.

Obvously fighting a monster in this state is a great disadvantage. But the other way out is through the shower room window and thats not a serous option. A desperate option maybe, but not for now.

The best option would be to distract him. She placed her brush down and rose to her feet.

"Im quite ready, i guess"

He stood patiently and watched as she rummaged through her bag and cleaned her face. He smiled inwardly as she retied her long, brown into a ponytail; he'd always been a fan of long hair. Outwardly calm, he waited until she indicated her readiness.

"Very well, then," he said, striding to the center of the room. Drawing himself to his full height, elbows at his side, he lifted his hands slightly, palms facing outward as he bowed his head to her. "Skill and honor," he said quietly as his head bowed.

When his head lifted, all casualness was gone from his stance as he lowered himself smoothly into a fighting stance, his tail flowing smoothly back and forth, his large bulk balanced lightly on the balls of his feet. His eyes narrowed intently as he waited for her to ready herself for the coming fight...

She bowed as was taught to her, obvuosly respecting her opponent. The shakiness was gone, replaced by a sensitive awareness of the coming battle.

She straigthed and closed her hands into fists. With a soft cry, as was traditional in her sport, she moved to the ready stance. Her arms bent, the fists close to her chest, her legs parted, giving her a strong foundation.

She knew she was in a little trouble, her armor was in the locker room, but she didnt have any choice.

She gazed at him, anticipating his first move.

She felt a slight tug and didnt look down, knowing that her opponent had no intention on making the first move she gave in.

She stepped in quickly, turning her body for momentum and kickingm with enough force to drive a normal oponent backwards and usually toppling,.

She tried to step back as fast as she possibly can but she was still thrown just a little bit off balance then the nails caught her belt.

She pulled away setting back on the balls of her feet. The bent didnt matter so much, after all the top is like a big shirt so the worst case is it getting in the way. and even if it gets ripped she had another shirt underneath. The pants too were tight enough that they didnt need the belt, though a sharp pull would drag it down.

She quickly changed her weight moving to the intiatice and string blows at his abdomen, changing wight and moving in a quick but irregual rythm.

She tried to step back as fast as she possibly can but she was still thrown just a little bit off balance then the nails caught her belt.

She pulled away setting back on the balls of her feet. The bent didnt matter so much, after all the top is like a big shirt so the worst case is it getting in the way. and even if it gets ripped she had another shirt underneath. The pants too were tight enough that they didnt need the belt, though a sharp pull would drag it down.

She quickly changed her weight moving to the intiatice and string blows at his abdomen, changing wight and moving in a quick but irregual rythm.

She felt her breath get caught as she flew back, landing on her ass. She barely ave a cry of surprise before she foundherself sitting. Blinking away tears of pain from her eyes she forced herself to rise, stagering slightly.

"a fitting punishment for forgettin the first rule" she choked out, grinning to unerve her sparring partner, hiding the pain blossoming in her abdomen. She took a dep breath and stood ready again, waiting for his next move.