Spirit's Wrath (Book 2 of Spirit's Calling)

Healing

A/n: LAST CHAPTER ;-;

AND THEN I CAN START WORKING ON HAND OF TIMEEEEE
(yall have no idea what's coming >:3) I'M SO EXCITED

The next day, she found Cole training alone on the deck of the Bounty.

"Hey," she called quietly. The ghost paused for a moment, then resumed swinging at a punching bag. "Mind if I join?"

She held the bag for him without waiting for a reply, and he nodded wordlessly.

After a few more well-placed punches, Y/n exhaled slowly. Cole hadn't looked at her once, too focused on the punching bag, expression stiff. "Something's bothering you."

Cole paused briefly. "No. I'm fine."

If he was expecting a snarky comeback, he didn't get one. Y/n's gaze dropped. "I said the same thing yesterday," she murmured.

Cole's movements halted again. "And now...?"

Y/n raised her gaze with a small smile. "And now I really am okay. Mostly 'cause Jay and Nya knocked some sense into me."

"Good," Cole replied with a snort. "Someone had to."

Y/n stepped forward and caught his ghostly wrist before he could punch the bag again. The Earth Ninja reeled in surprise but stepped back. "I'm passing it forward," she replied simply. "You're worried about scaring Lloyd."

Cole stared at her in shock, then turned away. "Yeah."

"Then when we're done, I'm gonna take you to see him," Y/n declared matter-of-factly.

"Done with...what?" Cole asked, curiosity bleeding into his tone.

Y/n shuffled, suddenly anxious. "I want your help learning to fight better."

Cole turned to her with surprise written all over his expression. "Fight 'better'?" He repeated incredulously. "Y/n, you were the only one who could even get close to—"

"It's not an honorable style," Y/n interrupted, her words rushed. "They always taught us to take advantage of weak spots and go for the moments of hesitation, especially if the opponent is at a disadvantage. And to attack ruthlessly. But that's not the Ninja way." She wrung her hands nervously. "So..I was hoping maybe—"

"Of course, Y/n," Cole gently cut in, smiling faintly. "I'd love to."

Her own smile turned shy in thanks, and he began teaching her slightly different forms and other ways to beat an opponent with using their strength against them instead of brute force. They remained mindful of her still-healing arm and the blood loss, but neither proved to be a major issue.

And, if Jay and Nya watched them with mischievous smiles, no one noticed.

~~~

True to her word, after the session that would later leave her muscles sore (and a long, cold shower that felt heavenly), Y/n brought Cole to the infirmary.

He hesitated outside the door, several emotions dancing in his eyes.

"I'll tell him," Y/n whispered, and he nodded. She slipped into the darkened room, the smell of antibacterials and medicines slamming into her, and approached Lloyd's side.

"Lloyd?" She asked quietly. "Are you awake?"

He muttered something and dramatically draped an arm over his eyes. "No."

Y/n smiled fondly and gently pat his head. Lloyd's arm dropped to send her a weak glare that held no heat. "There's someone who wants to see you."

Lloyd's eyes widened and he struggled to sit upright. Y/n's hands hovered near him, ready to help if he wanted it, but knowing not to force it. Her brother winced only once, his bruises fading quickly and the smaller cuts already almost healed. "Is it Cole?" He demanded, hope in his voice.