so much more humiliating than the hoodie he currently wore.
A crafty look entered Elena's face as she glanced between the two of them. "Maybe it's the mountain I should be taking lessons from."
"Two lessons."
Horror filled Elena's eyes. "Auntie!"
Kira shot her a look. "Want to make it three?"
"No." Elena's lips held a sulky pout.
"Pick your weapon then."
Elena grumbled to herself as she faced the oshota guarding her. Arms pinned to her side, she bent forward at the waist in a slight bow. "With your permission."
Only the faintest trace of amusement marred the oshota's stoic expression as he inclined his chin.
Kira waited until her niece had turned before aiming a brutal kick to the side of Finn's knee. He easily dodged, stepping out of range.
"It's not that funny," she told him.
"She's a miniature version of you. The universe is just."
Kira aimed her grimace at the ceiling, finally understanding what people meant when they said karma was a bitch. She really should have made more of an effort to ensure her niece didn't turn out like her. Raider was going to have her head when he realized.
"Do you have a preference?" Elena asked as she examined the practice blades on the rack.
Kira waved a hand. "Whatever you choose is fine."
If this had been a real duel, Kira would have chosen for herself rather than trusting someone else to do it for her. Instead, this was a lesson for Elena. It would lose its impact if Kira chose the best weapon for herself.
Elena was solemn as she picked out a practice en-blade before setting it to the side. The second en-blade she spent some time choosing, picking up one and testing it with a few swings before putting it down again. She repeated the movement several times before she found a blade she was happy with.
Finished, she marched over to Kira and handed the second blade to her.
Kira took it, getting accustomed to its weight and feel. Not bad. It was one Kira might have chosen for herself.
She shot her niece a sideways glance. It looked like someone had been paying attention.
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 indicate ki.
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