Welcome to Gaia! ::

Another kiss was unexpected. A pleasent surprise. A distraction. A very pleasent distraction. One Daniel couldn't help but fall into. A warrior was trained to watch out for all forms of distraction in battle: a flicking of a wrist to get the eyes away from the other hand, the raising of one leg only to prepare for the hop-sidekick from the other. But a kiss ... well, there were not many female warriors in K'un Lun, and this was not something any of the monks had particularly prepared him for.

So ... this was new ground. Not kissing, mind you, Daniel had kissed women before, but not like this ... this was ... different ... exciting. Every instinct in his body made him pull in different directions: grab her closer, pull away and hit her in the temple, grab her and strip her down and ... well, all those urges are there. But when push comes to shove, the inner human within Daniel emerged, his inner dragon, the beast of the warrior within him, submerged within his conscience, within his very heart -which was beating wildly at this moment.

All Daniel could do was think about her lips pressed against his ... insecurities he normally didn't deal with coming to the forefront of his mind ... much like the turmoil of a pimply teenager getting his first kiss. Whatever it was, Daniel pushed in, returning the empassioned kiss, his guard down for perhaps the first time in his life.

Pain. The first lesson he learned in K'un Lun was how to take it and turn it into strength. Allowing pain to overtake the body is to allow weakness to enter. A warrior of the K'un Lun must not revel in weakness, but win in strength. The waves of pain from his groin and stomuch are thankfully masked by the pain in his jaw. He might be stronger, faster, more agile, more endurent than others, but he is not immune. Blood trickles from his now opened lower lip, a lip that was once part of a glorious embrace, but now felt the pain of remorse. Daniel berated himself for letting down his guard and drew upon this pain for strength.

Anger. Another lesson learned by the warriors in K'un Lun. Anger is another form of strength, but in the end it is weak. Daniel had learned what anger could do to ones life, destroying its core, its essence. It was more difficult for him to remain calm than it was for him to ignore the pain.

Standing, Daniel focused. This was no longer a game. This was a battle. Channelling his chi, Daniel's body began to glow with an aura of pure power, the power of his inner spirit, of his inner warrior, of the dragon's heart that beats beneath his chest. Daniel ripped the shirt that had covered his chest, throwing it off, his tattoo now open, his chi channelling around him.

This time he would not take the defense, he would take the offense. Daniel took two quick steps and then lept, his legs in a perfect arc, a kick aimed at the young woman's heart, which was ironic in a twisted sense. He knew he was too high for her to leap and too low for her to duck. The possibilities and probablities of her actions followed through his mind, a calculated warrior now playing for real.

Daniel rolled through as he came to the ground, quickly standing, and in the seconds he had of reflex time, he grabbed the two bolts out of the air, snapping them. "Weaponry is not honorable, Huntress."

Daniel once more readies himself, moving into the same position he had used before, with the parted lotus hands. He watches her, his eyes glowing in yellow energy, waiting. He needed only one hit, which would not be difficult. But he could not deny that the pangs he felt of residual pain were not from her physical attacks ... but at the breaking of the connection they had created when they kissed. But that was behind him at the moment. All there was in him was his warrior's soul, beating beneath his breast. He waited patiently. He knew she would come to him. And if she turned her back, she would lose as well. Too proud for that. So he waited.

Don't do this, Helena. You're in over your head.

*In the face of the greatest test, a winner will not back down. In the face of impossible odds, a warrior will fight. In the face of certain defeat, a hero will emerge. This is where she finds herself now. Having tried everything within, and perhaps beyond reason to pass through the realm of brutality, she learns that the real test has only begun. Her opponent was bigger, stronger, and vastly superior a fighter and until mere moments ago, had only been toying with her. Now he became serious, as serious as the venom which pulsated through his twitching veins. Iron Fist, the consumate martial artist of the 21st century, wanted blood. Her blood. Despite his fury, she could discern a strong sense of honor which bound him. Like many martial artists, he lives by a code of righteousness. Still, in such a contest, he is the wheat to her chaff. It is a fact that has already been demonstrated, and now, he is ready to dispense the final lesson.*

Helena, you really should back down. You made a tremendous showing and have earned his respect. Back down and his sense of honor will force him to spare you.

Like hell.

*Unlike Daniel Rand, Helena Bertinelli was not bound to any codes of honor, personal or otherwise. For her entire life the only code she had ever subscribed to maximum effort.*

I don't quit!

I'm too stupid and too stubborn.

This is it, this is for all the marbles.

*Helena breaks into a brief kata demonstration, hoping to perhaps bewilder him. He watches as she mimics the moves of the ancients, the shadow boxers of the shogun. Suddenly, she hurls her crossbow towards his face, hoping her uncanny aim will provide the necessary distraction and thrusts herself, left leg extended, at his knee.*

Nice knowin ya, kid.

*The pent up emotion had been surging for nearly half an hour while they fought, searching desperately for a release. As Daniel exits the cyberdome, that release is finally offered and Helena, thoroughly spent, collapses to her knees. She bows her head as the feelings break free of her self imposed barrier in a dam burst of relief.*

He spared me. That's more than I would have done for him. Maybe there is something to be said for honor?

((There are rafters in a metallic dome? eek ))

PATSY STAPS IN2 DA ROM H3R GLIMARNG BABY BLU3S LOKAD ON2 HER ANTAGONIST IN A CONT3MPTIOUS GLAER

BFORA!!11!! OMG WTF U BATLA ANYON3 U MIGHT WANT 2 CONSIEDR KNOKNG TEH H3L OUT OF UR ENGLISH T3ACHER U FUKNG N0B11!!!1!! WTF

*walks in* Alright, I wanna clean fight, no biting, scratching is allowed, and don't steal the other person's boyfriend. Let's get it on.