Practice (PRIVATE WITH DRAGON)

Kodee walked into the sword fighting arena with his hair in his face and his rings sparkling in the sunlight. Normally he wouldn't be out here but this seemed like a good day to venture out to the sword fighting arena. Suddenly he saw a girl in front of him who looked to be about twelve years old or so. She was frustrated and had thrown her sword right before kicking the dummy in front of her. He smiled and started to walk over to her before stopping with his normal fear sinking in. Kodee took a deep breath and remembered what Austin and Kat always told him. If he wanted to talk to her then just do it so he walked over to the girl and adopted a curious look. What's wrong, I noticed you throw your sword down and wondered why you did that.

Kodee nodded and sat down next to the daughter of Ares while avoiding letting her know that people don't always take after their family. He frowned and then pulled out a ninja star. He spun it around between his fingers and then launched it at the dummy, watching as it sunk in between the eyes of the thing before them. Sometimes there is no need to use force in an attack if you know how to manipulate the weapon you use. Take that throwing star for example. It was little force needed but the blades are sharp and they sank into the skull of the target as a hot knife through butter. You don't have to live up to your father and his brute strength in fighting.

Kodee watched the sword go through the dummy's heart and smiled slightly and briefly. This girl was good and still wanted to get better. Maybe if Kodee could get Austin to help train her then she would be exactly like Ares one day. You know, I have an uncle here who can possibly he...

Austin walked into the arena with his sword strapped to his back and his fists already wrapped for a fist fight. His face was still bruised and he had a bandage on the bridge of his nose but he was ready for a training session again. Just as the son of Nike was about to start his training he looked over and saw something he never thought he would see...Kodee talking to a girl. Oh ho! Kodee, you finally started talking to girls? Congratulations little nephew. Austin smiled at the girl.

Kodee groaned and looked back at the daughter of Ares. This is my uncle, Austin Greene. Unfortunately he is the one I was just talking about, and he could help you learn to fight if you want.

Austin nodded and glanced at Kodee before shaking Ashley's hand. Whatever Kodee may have said I am just a child of Nike and may not be able to take on a child of Ares. Still I will gladly help you learn what I know and maybe you can find another Ares kid to teach you the rest. Austin unsheathed his great sword from its back sheathe and placed it point down on the ground before pulling on his helm to cover his face. Then he motioned for Ashley to draw her sword from the dummy.

Austin grinned and swung his sword in a slash and then his leg out toward her legs in an attempt to either disarm her or catch her off balance. He was pretty good with moves like that and all he could hope for was that he didn't end up hurting the girl in any way. The son of Nike felt himself focus and at the same time everything grew clearer until he saw everything around them. The people began to mill around until they could see the two beginning to spar.

((I give permission for Drakkon to power play my character))
Ashley gets a deep slash on her side, and is caught off balance, but quickly regains it, and slashes back. She winces from the pain in her side, but reminds herself of who she is, and shakes it off.

Austin stepped backward and raised the blade of his sword enough to catch hers. With a simple flick of his wrist he spun the sword aside and stepped back in until he was close. Austin wrapped his arm around her torso and put the hilt of his sword against her chest just over her heart. Dead! You would have been good if you had stepped back when I swung my sword and foot forward at the same time. Even then you could have survived if you hadn't attacked right away. Defense is just as good as offense when up against a strong opponent. The son of Nike dropped his arms away and stepped back around so that he was looking at Ashley.

Austin grins and steps forward in a blinding movement and steals Ashley's sword from her hand while slamming his fist into her gut with enough force to send her back a few feet. The move was one simply to show that she focused to much on attack and not on defense. Now if you did that move and someone avoided it then they could catch you just like I did there. Be more defensive and stop focusing on the attack.

"Oh ho! You have a strong friend Kodee. Good job Ashley...you beat me at such a young age." Austin moved the sword and stood up while smiling broadly.

((Okay I am going to go first person here now...but only for a few posts at tops))

As I watch Uncle Austin lose the fight against Ashley my minds clouds up and I feel my throat close slightly just enough to where it is hard to breathe. I can't hardly concentrate and all I see is the agile movements of the girl as she flips Austin over her head and puts her blade to his throat. It makes me happy to see the actions but why does it make me nervous at the same time? Is this what I had been told about by Uncle Austin when I first met him? Do I have a crush on someone I just met? I frown and then watch in awe as Austin tells Ashley that she is good and I blush when he says she is a strong friend. I know that he sees but really I don't care because my mind has now gone back to what I can't comprehend...Ashley. When she sits next to me I look at her and have to immediately look away because my heart is pounding in my chest and I feel like I am going to pass out. Zeus Almighty why is being ten years old so strange sometimes. I smile shyly and then unconsciously I feel my hand brush Ashley's. Instantly I tense up but remember what Kat and Austin have always told me. Instead of withdrawing my hand I curl my fingers around hers and look at Austin.

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Just as I stand up my feet hit the ground but I feel like I am falling because I see my baby nephew smiling at the girl. He'd never done anything close to smiling at a girl before and then I can see in his eyes that he is crushing on her. For some reason it makes me proud that young Kodee has finally found out how to be brave but still he hasn't said anything. Then as I get ready to speak again I see his blush and then how he wraps his fingers around Ashley's. My jaw drops slightly and quickly I adopt a more calm manner. If only Kat were here to see this right now.

I smile at Ashley and glance at Austin before taking a small breath in to calm myself. It wasn't like this was strange for a ten year old to fall for a girl but why did it have to happen now? I look back at Ashley and see her staring at me and smiling like she was the most happy person in the world. Unable to hold it back, I break into a fit of laughter and then stop as I look at Ashley again. She is really beautiful and my hand is beginning to feel comfortable in her grip. As if on instinct and without thinking, I lean toward Ashley and kiss her softly on the lips before letting go of her hand and standing up. I reach down and help her up without looking at Austin because I already know what his face is like at this moment.

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Just when all seems to have sunk in, I close my mouth and suddenly it happens. Kodee KISSED Ashley! How the hell did this happen so quickly? I fall back on my ass and stare at my nephew as he stands up and helps the girl up like a true gentleman. You...kissed...a girl? I can't get any more coherent thoughts out because I am still in shock.

I turn ever so slightly to see Austin on his rear on the ground and I smile before looking back at Ashley and whispering to her. Ashley you are really beautiful...I think I might have a crush on you. I wrap my fingers around hers more and look into her eyes with confusion but a whole lot of joy.

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I sigh and stand up after realizing I am just a third wheel now. Slowly I walk out of the arena and head towards my cabin, still in shock that Kodee was able to kiss a girl finally.

I stop as I'm about to speak because even in my imagination I had never thought Ashley would say she had a crush on me as well. My mind seems to work in slow motion and I grin like a fool. I lean in again and this time I kiss Ashley, for a longer period of time. Might as well see how far she would allow it to go this time.