Black And White

Chapter 18. Points of view

{Location: The airgjuz temple} (Willow's POV)

I look at my twin, her white circle is still there, solidifying that the past day had really happened. Then I feel my identification mark, which may be doing the same for her. Behind me are dozens of small things ranging from bad books I've read and small trinkets we were allowed to use. I'm actually a little excited for this. I keep the elevated feeling minimal as Seliel rubs Cole's hands. I wonder how much of what I liked learning will integrate into this. I definitely won't be including the stupid warm ups. Those sucked. I wait until Seliel has closed the tan bamboo door, then Katara throws a tiny fireball at Cole's head. His eyes see it coming and he side steps to his right, then his eyes fill with confusion and anger.

"What was that for?"

Katara rubs her chin as the fireball is bounced off the shield and back at Cole. "I'm experimenting something. Blocking magic isn't my area of expertise but I am curious of how much magic you do have."

Cole rolls his eyes and lets his hands become lava, "Does this count?"

I watch while biting the inside of my lip, for the next who knows how long, I'll be walking in an emotional landmine. I have to teach Cole about this new side of him but I can't let my or Katara's past slip in too much. Small memories of how I was taught and how harsh my training was trickle in my mind. I refuse to let that be that way I teach Cole but it was the only way I knew, "Possibly. This is more likely a result of your mixed DNA."

Cole turns them off and ducks as the fireball makes a comeback, "Could you not say mixed DNA? It makes me sound like a science experiment."

I struggle to keep my stone face. Does he.... no. It's a metaphor. Don't think too much about it, besides, he doesn't need to know that just yet, "All right." I watch him carefully as he keeps evading the fireball until Katara catches it again.

"So other than trying to burn my hair off, was there a reason for that?"

Katara nod but keeps the flame alive, "I timed you, you had a second faster of a reaction time than a normal human. Why?"

"Duh." He pulls off spinjitzu just to be a show bow, "I'm a ninja."

I shake my head, "So was there a time that you felt something coming. Before being a ninja?"

Cole frowns, he's running through hundreds of memories to answer my question then shrugs.

I sigh, I had escaped this fate for three years but I haven't improved in the slightest in my teaching skills, "So was there a time that you just felt energy readying itself to attack?" I fold my arms as a plan slowly comes to mind.

"Well, when we were training Lloyd, I remember a little light bulb lighting up in the back of my brain before he sent off any element." Cole rubs his chin, it's not easy discovering you're only half of who you thought you were, "I thought it was just my ninja skills."

"Good," So this isn't a new thing, just one that was denied, and held down by a lot of freakishly strong magic, "That's normal for those with a stronger connection to magic and elements. There actually isn't too much of a difference between the two. One just comes from heritage rather than learning it. But most magic lives inside a person even if we don't know it, it makes itself a little bit known." I recall many moments within those three years, and what small things I would say in teaching the Ninja like Sensei originally wanted me to. "However, it is better for both to be taught rather than having no idea what's happening."

Cole nods but probably doesn't understand. Oh no, I've turned into Aquila with her mushy mystery phases. I grab a book from the counter behind me. A pair of hands holding an apple is on the cover as I toss it to Cole. He looks at it then holds it by its back flap, "Is this going to teach me how to use magic."