The Hellhound's Secret

Tori's Birthday

"Man, I am worked..." Dustin whined as he traipsed into Ninja Ops. The others followed behind him, each of them groaning or lagging.

"So am I," Blake agreed. "10-mile run, two fight simulations... and an obstacle course."

Hunter huffed as he pulled his gloves off with his teeth. "Don't forget two hours of hard meditation," he grumbled.

"In which Kali fell asleep," said Cam.

"Sue me. Meditation isn't a form of Mystic Training," Kali said, stretching. She moaned as her muscles popped and a sense of relief flooded her body.

Tori grinned and sat on the edge of the table.

"Even you look tired," said Dustin, clamping Shane on the shoulder. "Training finally getting to you?"

Shane shook his head as he reached up to rub his eyes. "I'm not getting a lot of sleep," he yawned. "I keep having this weird dream."

"You should pay attention to that," said Tori. "Sensei says your dreams can tell you a lot about yourself."

Cam nodded. "Speaking of Dad," he added, glancing towards his father's habitat. "Where is he?"

"A meditation retreat, if this note is anything to go by," said Kali. She was standing beside Sensei's hut, holding a slip of paper between her fingers.

"What?" Tori asked, crowding around the black ranger with the others.

"Are you serious?" Hunter asked.

Kali handed the note to Tori. "Yeah, he said that he need to recharge his inner Ninja - I'm guessing the whole switching bodies fiasco took it out of him more than we thought, and he's gone away to recharge," she explained. "In the meantime, he wants us to take the day off."

"But does that mean today or tomorrow?" Dustin asked. "Because, technically, today's almost over."

"It doesn't say how long he's going to be away," said Kali. "But I say we make the most of it while we can. What are you all planning?"

"Well, I'm thinking maybe, uh, the track then a movie or... a movie and then the track," Dustin said, trailing off.

Kali snorted and ruffled Dustin's hair. "You're lucky you're cute," she teased.

"You heading back to Briarwood?" Cam asked, nudging Kali.

Kali shrugged. "Unless something more entertaining is happening here, then yeah, I might," she said. "It be nice to walk the Mystic woods again. Check on things, you know?"

"And hang out at the Rock Porium?"

Kali smiled. She had missed hanging out at the Rock Porium, teasing Xander about not working, dancing it out on stage with Vida, and even a surprise ride around the city with Nick. Maddie and Chip were still in Summer Cove, so maybe she and the others could even go to the Elemental Academy for a visit.

"Hey, Tor, what's the matter?" Blake asked, noticing the sad look on the surfer's face. "Come on, don't tell me you can't deal with a day off."

"No, a day off is great, especially tomorrow," said Tori, grinning. "I just wish Sensei would be around for... you know?"

"What?" Hunter asked.

Kali cocked her head to the side. There was something she and the others were clearly missing, and it was enough to bring an excited, yet disappointing look to Tori's face.

"Oh, man! Are we stupid?" Shane gasped, tapping the side of his head.

"Do you really want an answer to that?" Kali quipped, the corner of her lips quirking upwards into a grin.