Mortal Kombat Fan Fiction ❯ Of Butterflies and Blizzards ❯ Stepping Stones ( Chapter 5 )

He sighed closing the door behind him. 

"How did she do today?"

His gaze snapped up and connected with his brother's and he nodded.

"She is improving daily. We have started working Dragon style into her training. She is...struggling but has yet to give up."

That shocked Bi-Han. "You're teaching her your personal style?"

Kuai nodded, "She has potential and learning the stepping will afford her some protection in a fight. It will also help her with perfecting her footwork...which is lacking at the moment."

The older brother laughed, "She is blind-folded...has been for the last two months and you're worried about her footwork?"

"Even blind-folded she must strive for perfection of self and perfection of skill."

Bi-Han shook his head. "She should be given leave to take it off for at least one day a week."

"That would defeat the purpose of the training. She relies on her remaining eye far too much, by removing that crutch...she is forced to use other ways to survive."

"So by removing the crutch, you remove the blind spot."

"Correct. She is a quick study and focused when she needs to be."

That caught his interest and he grinned, "When she needs to be? And the other times?"

His brother stilled looking at him strangely. "She is young still, Bi-Han. Experience comes with time and patience. She is distracted at times, yes, but she knows when she must focus and be silent."

"Well, I'm sure your little pun game doesn't help."

Kuai chuckled, "It helps her more than you know. It keeps her mind sharp as she is thinking of her next reply. She enjoys them almost as much as I do. Her..."

He fell silent and moved away from Bi-Han, removing his tunic, getting ready to go to sleep.

Bi-Han watched him for a moment before speaking.

"Her brother, yes? They always traded puns...he was the one that taught her her first one."

"She told you of him?"

"Only that much. What did she tell you?"

Kuai sighed heavily. "He was the catalyst for her gaining her abilities."

"How did that happen?"

"He died."

"Oh." The two words threw into sharp relief his own death at Scorpion's hands. He still hears whispers in the still night...seeing shadows move out of the corner of his eye, fear twisting deep in his gut.

"I would appreciate that you do not tell her I told you."

"You have my word, brother."

"Is there anything else you wish to speak of? I would like to get some sleep."

Bi-Han smiled widely, "Just so you know, today, when you were trading puns with her...you were actually flirting with her."

The younger sibling froze in place and slowly turned to face his brother. "I was not. We were enjoying a game of words nothing more."

"Oh come on, Kuai. You cannot be this dense. You were leaning close to her, smiling and your hands were quite animated while you were talking. All the clear signs of flirting."

"She is my student, Bi-Han. That is not appropriate."

"I know, which is why I told you, so you can know what to look out for in the future. But she was flirting back too."

'S-she was?"

"I know you brother, your honor will keep you from acting on your attraction while she is your student. But what will happen when she is no longer your student?"

That had him thinking back on the events of that morning. He had felt so relaxed talking to her and her smile had been comforting and inviting. His stomach flipped. 

He had been flirting...but it had felt so natural speaking to her like that.

He shook his head. No, he would not act upon whatever this was he was feeling...he had more respect than to dishonor the bond between teacher and student. He also respected Isabeau to not be disrespectful to her as well.

He was Grandmaster and so he would lead by example.

/  -  /  -  /  -  /

"Good! Again, but faster."

Izzy was sweating as she moved her feet again, making sure to focus on placing them right and moving her hands to the correct positions as well.

Katas were difficult enough to perform correctly but learning them blindfolded was even tougher. As she had to rely on memorizing where Kuai placed her hands in the air or where he pushed her feet to.

She dropped low, front foot moving forward, slowly dragging her rear foot up to return to the basic position. 

"Good. you may stop. Now Bik Bo stepping is also called press stepping. It is used mainly to 'press' your opponent and heavily used in various stance breaking methods. This keeps you 'on top' of your opponent and always within attacking range. Now tell me what does the Zig-zag step do?"

Panting she replied, "It allows you to press forward into an uncomfortable range and attack from angles that would be difficult for the opponent to defend, basically forcing them to continually reposition themselves, thus breaking their structure. Both zig-zag and Bik Bo can work in tandem."

"Good. You did well today. You may take the rest of the day off."

She looked at him in shock, "Really? But I have yet to get the angle of my steps correct."

He touched her shoulder, "You have earned a short reprieve. I understand it is hard to do things with the blindfold and I do not want you to get frustrated."

"I'm not frustrated...I'm just challenged."

"That is a good mindset to have. But you have pushed yourself hard today. Go, enjoy the rest of the day."

"But there are only a few months left until the final trials."

"And that is why you must also focus on your well-being too. I have noticed that you have not been eating well or sleeping well either."

She stilled and dropped her head in shame. "I'm sorry, Kuai."

"Just try to eat a little more than what you have been. And if needs be...meditate before sleeping to clear your mind. I find it helps when I cannot sleep."

"You have trouble sleeping?"

He nods, "Yes. I worry about the path of the Lin Kuei every day. I worry about the students and how they are taking to their training. Once the Lin Kuei were slaves to another's will and were forced to do terrible things that besmirched our honor. I strive to fix that and lead the Lin Kuei to a future that is honorable and just. One where people will be proud to utter our name once again."

Isabeau touched his arm and smiled up at him. "With you as Grandmaster...the Lin Kuei will see that future, I am sure of it."

"Thank you. Now go. I'm sure your friend would be glad to see you earlier than normal."

She bowed to him and turned, expertly navigating through the courtyard and into the student dormitory.

His chest felt strange as he touched the spot where her hand was.

'The Lin Kuei will see that future.'

Her voice did not waver when she said that. She truly believed it.

Kuai smiled softly. 'Thank you Isabeau.'