Elena waited, her expression hopeful as Kira tested her selection. Anticipation brewed on her face, forcing Kira to smother her smile.
This might have been called a lesson, but it was clear her niece wanted nothing more than to test herself against Kira.
Elena bounced on her toes. "Remember your promise, Auntie."
Ah. Someone had gotten cocky in Kira's time away. She'd have to fix that.
"We're a long way from that. First, a certain someone has to convince me with her actions." Kira sent Elena a pointed stare.
Her niece nodded; her expression serious as she got a focused look in her eyes.
"Remember. No—" Kira wiggled her fingers to indicateki.
Rather than answer, Elena planted her back foot and lunged forward. Kira swayed, barely avoiding the tip of Elena’s practice blade.
Elena switched tactics, aiming a kick at her aunt's knee. Kira grabbed Elena’s foot and tugged, pulling her niece off-balance.
"That's not what you wanted to show me, is it?" Kira asked with a mocking lift of her eyebrow.
Elena snarled, bounding upright and lunging for Kira again.
This time Kira grabbed Elena’s leading arm and hooked a foot around the back of her knee, breaking her stance again. Elena landed on her knees.
"Tut, tut. What did I say about anger?" Kira asked.
Elena planted her hands, lifting in a modified handstand and shooting one foot back and up toward Kira's face. Kira blocked with one hand, grabbing her niece's calf with the other. Kira grinned, right before she picked her niece up and swung her in a circle before gently depositing her on the ground once again.
"Dead," Kira told her.
This time Kira stepped out of reach as her niece rolled onto her back, looking up at her grumpily.
Kira gave her an expectant expression. "Done already?"
Determination shone on Elena's face.
Kira's lips twitched. Good.
She'd be disappointed if this was enough to break Elena's spirit. There were many trials and tribulations facing her niece in the future. Her path, more than most, wouldn't be an easy one.
Not entirely Tuann, not entirely human, but a mix of both with a little extra thrown in. She wasn't likely to be fully accepted anywhere.
Like Kira and Jin, she would have to make her own family and home. If she couldn't figure out how to face adversity now, her future would be a harsh one.
Kira could only provide so much of a buffer. She couldn't be with Elena a hundred percent of the time. Nor would she be able to control the actions of others.
It was her job to ensure Elena had the tools she needed to not only stay alive but to thrive. Kira took that job very seriously. Sometimes you had to be cruel to be merciful. A little pain now would save Elena a lot of heartache in the long run.
Elena stood and dusted herself off.
Kira waited for her niece to take her stance, her blade held loosely at her side.
To her surprise, Elena didn't attack immediately, instead watching Kira closely as she shook one hand out and then the other.
Kira kept her small smile to herself. She was taking the time to assess the situation, just like Kira and Jin had taught her.
Now, niece, what are you going to do?
Elena inched toward Kira, the blade held cautiously in front of her.
