Explosion; the not-so long story of the orange ninja

I Hate Myself

"Okay, just try and land a hit on me," Cole instructed on the roof of the apartment building.

"But... what if I hurt you?" I ask, cracking my knuckles nervously.

"It's fine. I can take it," he answered, but I was still hesitant. I know it was supposed to train me and all that, but I've never hurt anyone on purpose before. It felt weird.

"I'll go easy on you, alright?" He added.

I nodded and raised my fists, ready to attack. I kind of expected him to make the first hit, but he stood there, not paying very much attention.

Once I realized I was gonna have to train with him sooner or later, I moved my fist to make it look like I was trying to punch him in the shoulder. Once he leaned to the left to "dodge" my punch, I instead punched him in the... face? No, I couldn't punch him in the face. That would hurt him probably pretty bad.

I hesitated, and he grabbed my wrist.

"Don't hesitate," he instructed, letting go of my wrist, "you don't seem very focused."

I sighed. "Okay... fine. I'll try."

I clenched my fists again, knowing that if I did manage to hit him it would be his fault because he was the one who said he'd be fine.

Here goes. I aimed my fist at his chest, and with no surprise he jumped back before my knuckle made contact. Maybe if punching didn't work, I could kick him instead.

I stepped forward and tried to kick his side, and when I felt my foot hit something and heard a small grunt I stopped in surprise. I actually hit him! On my second try!

"That was pretty good. That'll leave a bruise," Cole remarked, and I wondered if that was a good thing or a bad thing. I took it as a compliment.

With a grin, I got distracted and couldn't register the fist coming toward my shoulder. I cursed under my breath and blocked his next attack with both my arms. If it weren't for this newly found super strength, I'm sure he'd overpower me in under a second.

I mean, he still overpowered me but it has to count for something, right? His hand came down on me and I moved to the side just before he could punch me again.

He gave a nod of approval and I felt something go by my ankles and sweep me off my feet. That bastard.

I lost my balance and tried to grab at the air. I'm not sure why I thought that would work in the first place, but it seemed like the best thing to do.

What I didn't know would happen was some sort of explosion right above me when I tried to grab the air. My back hit the ground and I sat up in surprise.

Cole just stared at where the blast happened with wide eyes. If I hadn't had the breath knocked out of me, I would have had the same reaction.

"That was awesome," Cole breathed, still looking at the now empty spot of air where I blew up the air. I would have to agree, but it was kind of scary as well. What if I destroy something on accident?

My breathing returned to normal, and I stood up slowly next to Cole. Almost immediately after, my heartbeat sped up when I looked at him.

Nonono, now was not the time to be thinking about this. This was training. Instead, I grinned evilly at him, and he gave me a look of confusion before I kicked my leg under his ankles, making him fall to the ground. Before he hit the ground, I felt his arm grab mine, pulling us both down.

I landed half on top of him, and my back hit his shoulder. We both let out an "oof".

Another explosion went off above us, and Cole yelped and put his face behind my back. It wasn't a big explosion, so I only flinched. But Cole being afraid of something not that scary was kind of funny.