Ivory's Homecoming ► Ninjago

08 ≛ Progression

"Cuando memorizaste esas cosas... sos como un profesional. En mi opinión."

"When you've memorized those things... you're like a professional. In my opinion."

Nya had finished listening to the translation Zane provided her for Natasha's speech the night before. Once listening to it in full and understanding, she smiled.

"I do not follow, Nya. You are a very worthy opponent," the nindroid told her with questioning in his expression. "Why do you wish to know how to fight?"

"Well... it goes a little deeper than that. For me, anyway." She let out a small sigh through her nose. "Everyone learns to fight with practice; there's no way around it. As much as I hate to admit it, patience is probably one of the most important factors in becoming as strong as you can be. If Wu's so confident that I'm a water ninja... I'm gonna have to start believing it and try harder. Or else I won't have any motivation to practice and be better."

Zane smiled. "That's wonderful. But... does Natasha really have so much to do with those feelings?"

"Oh, right. Honestly I just wanted to know what she was made of and win. Plus maybe learn a thing or two; have you ever fought her? She's pretty good."

"Unfortunately... yes, I have. As Jay would say, we've had the dishonor of having our asses kicked."

¤ ¤

Natasha wasn't sure which or whose room she was in, but it was one with a single bed. She brought wipes with her and placed them on the nightstand; an unlit candle rested right next to it.

The door was slightly ajar. Everyone had gone outside to prepare for their next attack, and so she figured she was alone.

However, Cole was a little behind his teammates. He didn't really do much that morning, considering they were working with solely water and he was well instructed not to be around; because he cherished his life—could it even be called that in his current state?—he was perfectly fine with that.

So just as he was going to walk past the room, the sound of soft heels made him stop. The ghost found himself holding onto the doorknob, leaning forward a bit, and peeking through the opening, finding some sight.

The blonde had pulled her sweater from her skirt, lifting it above her chest. She held the bottom hem with her teeth, revealing her entire stomach wrapped in bandages and allowing her to work with both hands.

While Cole's eyes did end up lurking to the cleavage visible in her bra for a quick moment, he soon found himself staring at her stomach as she began to unwrap. Once the entire bandage was off, her healing bruise revealed itself. It was no longer black, just more or less green; fortunately, it was smaller.

He wasn't aware that Morro had given it to her. It really shouldn't matter. He was kind of just mesmerized at how her form of treatment was grabbing a wipe and just... wiping the bruise. That was it. As if it was a bleeding wound.

Then just his luck, he leaned forward an extra inch. That extra inch was all that was needed for him to trip up; the door swung open completely as soon as he stumbled.

Of course, this made Natasha lift her head. Cole regained his balance and only stood in the doorway, staring at her rather dumbfounded.

"Uh... nice..." He really didn't want to fuck up. So he just stayed quiet after that.

It seemed the both of them forgot he was a ghost for a hot second. She grabbed her dagger from the strap on her thigh in seconds and angrily chucked it at him; in fear, he ducked and scrambled away. The blade pierced the wall in the hallway.