Love of a Nindroid

Ch.3: Fears and Conffesions

The next day after training, the ninja were showing off what tricks their golden weapons could do. "Watch this guys," Jay said. He held up his nunchuks and closed his eyes. Lightning then shot out of them forming the letters J-A-Y. Everyone cheered.

"Dude, that's awesome," Cole told him.

"It is. Watch what mine can do," Zoe said. She whipped out her fans and closed her eyes. She then moved her fans in a sort of dance. Left, right, spin, left. Left, right, spin, left. Left, right, spin, left. She moved faster and faster until she was just a purple blur. Then she was lifted up off the deck by the wind current and in the air. She spread her arms out and levitated the with her arms out and legs crossed. Then, she slowly floated back down o the deck, grinning.

"That was totally awesome!," Jay yelled, "You were all like spin and floaty and awesome!"

"It was alright, for a girl," Kai said. Zoe dropped her grin and put her hands on her hips.

"Alright then, what can your sword do?" she asked.

"Only the best thing ever! Watch and learn people!" He took an offensive stance and held his sword in front of him. He spun around and raised the sword in the air. A stream of fire appeared and it spun around like a lasso. He flicked it and it snapped towards Zoe. It didn't touch her, but i snapped next to her. She gasped, put her arm over her chest in defense, and stumbled backwards into Zane. Everyone looked at her confused.

"Um, I have to go do... I have to go," she said and ran.

"Nice one Kai," Cole accused, "You scared her!"

Zoe ran to her room. She collapsed on her bed and let the tears fall. She didn't know how long she was crying, but after a bit there was a knock on her door. "C-come in," she said. The door opened and Zane walked in.

"Are you alright, Zoe?" he asked, "You seemed frighted."

She sniffled. "Zane, can you keep a secret?"

"Yes," he stated and sat next to her.

She took a deep breath. " It was 3 years ago, when Zac was 4. We lived with our parents. They were very understanding of my, um, gift. One day, my mother sent me out to get me some rice cakes. On the way home, I smelled smoke. I ran home and saw it was up in flames. I ran inside. It was hard to see and hard to breathe. I saw my parents. My mother had died breathing the smoke and my dad was burned alive.

"Then I heard someone calling my name. I turned and saw Zac pinned under a burning beam that had fallen on him. I tried to move it but my hands burned at its touch. But then Zac looked at me with eyes wide with fear. I felt a urge to protect him. I somehow lifted the beam and picked him up. The only thing I was able to save was this." Zoe pulled something out from under her pillow and showed it to Zane. It was a songbook.

"The day before the fire, my father gave me a guitar and this book. He knew I love music. It was a beautiful guitar, with silver strings and dark mahogany wood. It had beautiful designs on the body in gold paint. I watched burn in front of my eyes in the fire. I've had a fear of fire ever since."

She finally looked at Zane who's face was a cross of pain, sympathy, and horror. She gave him a tear stained smile and moved the sleeve on her suite showing her arm. On it was a burn that was as wide as her wrist that went from her wrist to her elbow. "This burn reminds me of it everyday," she said.

Zane said nothing. What could he say? Zoe sighed, "The guys probably think I'm weak, now."

Zane shook his head. "No, I'm sure they'll understand." And for the first time since the fire, Zoe smiled. Not a smirk. Not a sad one. A real genuine smile.

~Wind~

"And that's why she's afraid of fire," Zane finished. The ninja, including Nya and Lloyde, were on the training deck surrounded around Zane.

"Wow, she lost her parents and had to let her brother go? I could never do that," Cole said. Kai couldn't speak. For the first time since he met her, Kai had no comment about Zoe.

"Hey guys. Whatcha talking about?" Zoe asked as she came onto the deck.

"Nothing!" they all said at once.

"Oooo-kay," she said somewhat confused. "Anyway, Lloyde. Do you want me to show you how to levitate?"

"BRICK YES!" he shouted. Zoe laughed and put an arm around his shoulder. The two walked away to the other side of the deck.

"I think Lloyde really brings out the best in her," Nya commented.

"I wish there was something we could do for her," Jay said.

"Wait, didn't you say she played guitar?" Nya asked.

"Yes," said Zane, "But she lost it in the fire."

"I think I know what we can do," she said smiling.