Is this destiny?

Charlie looked at Ade and thought how it's easy to say: 'don't underestimate each other'. That little boy is half his size height and width. How can he not underestimate him? He is actually afraid to hit him. The boy might break.

Sarah gave a sign and Ade rushed to Charlie without hesitation. Charlie was late to react, stunned by the speed of the little guy in front of him, and Ade hit him with tip of his fingers in the neck, just below his Adam's apple.

Sarah panicked when she saw that Ade went for Charlies neck, but she was not close enough to stop it.

"Ade! No killing!", Sarah growled and went to check on Charlie who was on his knees and holding his neck.

Charlie coughed, and shock on his face was apparent. He didn't expect that.

Ade shrunk his already small frame. "Sorry, Boss, but I didn't mean to kill him. Just to obstruct his breathing."

Sarah was upset, but when she saw Ade's pitiful expression, her heart softened. "It's OK. Just be careful. This is practice, and they had different training. Take it easy… no hitting eyes, nose, neck, chest. And no breaking bones. Understood?"

Charlie heard Sarah's talk with Ade and was furious that she is treating that little shrimp as someone who is superior to him. She even restricted areas where little shrimp can attack? He could not take that. He is more than two times the size of the little kid. He trained for more years than how much that little boy lived! How can he live with himself if he knows that a kid like Abe is holding back against him?

Sarah confirmed that Charlie is OK and ready for next round and announced: "Again!"

Ade rushed to Charlie, and this time Ade was careless while Charlie was ready. Charlie's foot landed on Ade's chest and sent him flying to the end of the rink.

Sarah shook her head and went to check on Ade. She saw that he is holding his chest, but fire in his eyes was strong. He wanted to fight.

She thought that this is a great opportunity for Ade to learn. "You said you want to be my personal bodyguard, right?" Ade vigorously nodded which made her smile. "To be able to protect me, you first need to protect yourself. You can't just rush straight at an opponent like that. Look at him. He is much bigger and stronger than you. If he gets a clean hit like this, you are done, and if you are done, you can't protect me. Do you understand?" Ade nodded and Sarah continued: "Think! What are your advantages? You can't afford to attack an opponent like him without a plan. When he attacks, you need to dodge. Don't even think of blocking."

She glanced at other kids who were few steps away. "Did you hear that?"

Six teenagers confirmed that they heard what she told Ade. They know that it applies to them as well, since others are bigger and stronger than them. Imani is the smallest of the girls, she was happy that Ade is getting this initial beating and she gets to learn lesson while observing. Fire in her eyes was showing that she wants to get into that rink as well and show what she can do. All kids were eager to show their Boss results of their training. They hope that Sarah will acknowledge them and next time she goes away that she will take them with her.

This third round, Ade didn't rush straight; he used his speed to avoid Charlie's hits while waiting for the right opportunity to strike. One minute later, Charlie was on the ground, his left arm and right leg were numb and non-responsive. Ade hit his pressure points.

Sarah checked on Charlie. "You will be fine in about twenty minutes. There is no use in strength if you can't catch your opponent. And your movements are too wide. Work on your speed and precision."

Charlie nodded in understanding and then gave a thumbs up to Ade. He was impressed with skills of that little shrimp.

While two recruits helped Charlie to go back to his room to rest, Sarah praised Ade. "Good thinking. You have speed and technique and you used that against the opponent who is bigger and stronger than you. Also, you used this…", she tapped his forehead to indicate that he used his brain and gave him a thumbs up.

Ade thought that he is floating how happy he was to be praised by his boss. Yes, the day when she takes him with her is getting closer. They all know how Sarah (and Aiden) rescued them which means that she is not a simple person, and she probably gets in danger often. They want to protect her, just how she protected them. All seven of them are grateful that she gave them a new chance at life, and they want to repay it. Their eyes sparkled while looking at Sarah.

Unaware of emotional turmoil seven kids are going through, Sarah turned to recruits who waited for their lesson. "Next!"

Aiden joined to watch, and Ade didn't miss him. "Hey, Boss's husband! How about you and Boss give us a demonstration?"

Aiden grimaced at the way Ade addressed him. Since Aiden told him that he is not his Boss, Ade was getting more and more creative with ways he calls him.

All their kids wholeheartedly supported this sparring match idea. Since they started training under Sarah aka Boss, they always wondered who would win in this match. And this looks like a great opportunity.

Recruits were also interested to see Sarah and Aiden spar and see what they have. Since two of them are in charge of their physical and combat training they must be good, right?

Sarah was uncomfortable. They trained together, but never against each other. She doesn't think that she could seriously attack him, and she is confident that he feels the same. So, what is the point of a match where no one wants to put an effort?

Sarah was in the rink with Ade who stepped out, and she panicked when she saw Aiden happily get in.

Aiden observed her. "It does not look that you want to do this."

She didn't deny it. "With exception of my mother, I never had a… friendly match. I don't know if I can do it." And with her mom it was mostly one-sided beating, but she didn't want to say that. Calling it a match sounds better.

Aiden appreciated her honesty and he didn't want to push it. "We will not do this now."

He made a plan that he will get her for a sparring session once when it's just two of them. For two reasons. One is that she will be more open to fight against him if no one is watching, and other is that they don't need to hold back from fear that someone will see and recognize their techniques.

Aiden looked at the recruits and repeated question that Sarah asked when he made his appearance. "Who is next?"

Sarah and Aiden spent the afternoon watching sparring matches and giving advices to participants.