In the moments of her wounded pride, Edie was almost glad for the bruises that lined her sides and back that had kept her pretty much grounded to the pack home. She hadn't complained about staying in her room, rather glad for the opportunity to not have to deal with the skeptical gazes of her pack mates â€" she was positive that Frost had relayed what had happened, after all the blood in the living room had been obvious that something had gone on. Even though she and Kato had cleaned up the majority of it, the two of them couldn't entirely repair the floor, nor could they get the blood off the expensive rug that Frost was so fond of. Edie herself had offered no explanations, the girl entirely content to let them wonder as she moped around in her bed. She was glad for Kato's presence, even if she did whine the instant that he would slip out in the mornings, always making him promise that he would come back in the evenings. She had no idea where he went â€" he wouldn't tell her and she didn't waste her breath asking â€" though she was always sufficiently pleased when he would return to her in the evenings.

This morning was different than the others. He'd slipped out of her bed, causing a groan to escape from her as he'd forced a demand on her. "Why?" She groaned, tossing on her side and tugging the fluffy white comforter over her head. He'd offered her no explanation as he'd tugged the blankets clear off her bed and lifted her to her feet as though she was a toddler, shoving her gently in the direction of her closet. "I don't like you," Edie mumbled as she tugged clothes on her body, appearing to him after brushing her hair and teeth with a scowl on her features. She'd hardly been pleased to be dragged down to the kitchen. At least he'd left her alone as he'd cooked, the girl hardly a source of conversation as she slumped in one of the bar stools, her head in her arms on the counter. She wasn't even aware she'd dozed back off until the man had shoved a plate of food in front of her, demanding again that she eat all of it. She whined again, this time inquiring more of the details. "Why? Where are we going? What time is it even?" She afforded a glance at the clock on the stove, letting out an even louder groan. "Kato, it's five thirty in the goddamn morning. What could you possibly..."

After the strained smile he offered her, Edie merely grumbled and obeyed his command. She grumbled to herself through every bite, whispered mentions of how she hated him, and how he was never getting laid again. All empty threats, of course, ones that seemed to amuse him and not halt him at all. She'd barely got the last bite of bacon in her mouth before he'd taken her plate away and had hauled her back to her feet. He'd only let her pause long enough to shove her feet into sneakers before she was being led out of the house and in the direction of the South, still grumbling the whole time about the early hour. "See? There's no one even out this early. The sun is barely awake," She mumbled as they crossed into the trees. She still complained even as they got into the clearing. Even though he'd explained his intentions to teach her to fight, she'd still considered it all a joke, even giving him an amused smile as he tried to instruct her on exactly how to stand. This was seriously what they were doing? At five thirty in the morning? "Kato, it's a Saturday," She said with a sigh. Didn't he know? Saturdays were for sleeping, for resting, not for this.

The girl scowled as he commented on her core, her hand going to her hip as she stared him down. "I've never had a need for my core to be strong. As for a strong wind I..." She didn't get a chance to finish her sentence. A scowl formed on her features as he touched her shoulder, but before she could jerk back she found him knocking her off balance and sending her flailing back into the grass. "Kato, you bloody... ass..." She got to her feet, ready to swat at him when she immediately found herself back on the ground. "Kato!" This time, she didn't attempt to get up, the girl left scowling as he crouched down in front of her. "Get away from me," She muttered, turning her head away as he spoke to her. She wanted to get up and stalk right back towards the house. But it was that sadness that had crept into his voice that made her reconsider, actually taking in the words he spoke.

Protecting her from. The words made her flinch against her will, wanting to draw away from him. She couldn't help but think back to Beck, stepping in front of her to protect her from the Hunters. Beck, knowing that she could heal him and not herself. Beck, that bloody idiot. That Kato had said he would protect her... The words caused her to curl away, wanting to run. "Kato," Her words were soft, though she reached out as she stood, grabbing ahold of his arm. If he wanted to knock her down, he was more than welcome, though she suspected he wouldn't. "Don't you ever fucking protect me. I don't need protecting."

No, that was incorrect. Maybe she needed protecting now, but she was damn well determined that she would never need it again. She stepped back, trying to remember how he'd told her to position herself, though she hadn't entirely been listening. Feet... here? She moved to place her feet firmly in the grass, trying to make herself a statue, unable to be knocked over again. "Teach me. Teach me so I can get you back for knocking me on my ass."