{Location: Wu's monastery}(Morro's POV)

"I don't understand." I stare at an old yellow scroll on my knees, amidst the somewhat faded words, colorful shapes of ninja center around a main green one, "You think I could be the green ninja?"

I've never been in this room before. Not much is here, four gorgeous golden weapons are hung on the sandy tan walls, there's a small square cabinet with a small window partly showing what's inside and there's some sort of incentives on top.

Sensei lingers in front of the cabinet, his fingers hovering over the door knobs, "I had to no idea. But you just showed me something I haven't seen in a long, long time."

"The kite thing? How?"

He holds out a baby blue teacup, "Catch the cup but do not move to catch it." He drops it.

My hands flick out, a small breeze keeps the cup afloat.

Sensei picks it up, "You're a descendant of wind. I haven't seen that elemental power in a long time. It's powerful. Just what kind of power the green ninja would have." He sets it down. Rolling up the scroll. Turning his back to me.

"Why me?"

"Hold out hands out." He doesn't say much, just turning around with a green gi and mask in his hands. He comes closer, delicately placing the gi in my hands, "Because destiny said so." He smiles, impressed and packed with so much hope that this is really happening, wrapping my fingers around the surprisingly soft fabric, "You're nowhere near ready, it'll take many lessons and much time but I believe you to be the chosen one. Embrace this. Embrace your path."

I get to save the world from ultimate darkness.

Who would have thought that a malnourished thriving circus boy could be the ultimate beacon of light?

Sensei stares into my eyes, wanting my answer.

I smirk a little, "Let's get started."

"Go get your gear on."

I hand him back the gi before zipping out the door. I scramble around the training yard. Looking for a weapon.

Sensei closes the bamboo doors, walking with his father's staff, "As the green ninja, you'll need to be faster, more adaptable, stronger and control your power." TH-WACK!

Jump around, "OW!" He hit me? ON the back on my knee? OW! I bite my lower lip to keep from screaming as I hop around on one leg before he sweeps the other one out.

He looks down over me, no smile just a stern warrior focused look, "First you must master awareness. Always be mindful of your surroundings. Never get too caught up in one task that you make yourself vulnerable."

"Understood" I pull my self up, heat warming around that smack. "What happened to putting my gear on?"

"You won't always have armor to protect you." Sensei quickly readies a cran pose, "Again. This time, I want you to begin harnassing your wind. Never rely on it too much but it should become second nature."

"Yes, Sensei." I ball my fists, tucking my thumbs on the inside.

I feel like I'm ready for anything.

Until he starts swinging over my head. The staff missing my head by a hair. Sensei was holding back before. I can bearly keep up. He looks at my fists, hitting the top of my head.

"Ow," I seem to be saying that a lot. I rub my head as he backs off, "What was that for?"

"No thumbs inside the fist. Next time tell me to slow down so you can understand it first. Ok?"

"Yes, Sensei." I make sure my thumbs are on the outside this time.

I can do this thought.

I'm the chosen one.

His green eyes scare me a little now. There's this intensity in them. A spirt that been dying for a good opportunity like this. He starts swinging.

He's bigger than me, faster and knows way more. How do I win?

He doesn't have my element. I punch forward, air manages to push his hat a little.

That didn't work so well.

I blink and somehow I'm back on the ground. Ok, that one hurt. Where the heck did he hit me? Everything hurts. I manage to get up to one knee when he holds his hand out.

I see it. My shot to impress him. I grab the hand, pulling him down and trying to sweep his leg.

Only he lifts me up like I'm a feather. He drops me, "No."

"What'd I do wrong?"

"You never attack someone trying to help you. We need to work on more fundamental before we continue." He looks down. I'm a screw-up. Why'd I do that? Oh yeah, because I'm an idiot. I start stuffing this feeling inside me when he gets on one knee, picking me up and making me sit on his knee. His face is kinder now, far more gentle with a small smirk, "Mistakes are allowed here. You didn't know. However, I'm training you to be a ninja who protects. Not one that destroys." He taps my nose, "Understand?"

I nod, "Un-huh."

"Good." He takes me off, moving to a tiny golden dragon statue seemingly in the middle of nowhere. He taps it, revealing the red button. He presses and the course pops out. "Go get your gloves."

"Yes, Sensei." I pause, "You're not going to hit me out of nowhere again...right?"

"I won't. Promise."

I reach over to the equipment rack, pulling out the smallest green and black gloves here. I'm tiny ok? Something or other about not eating enough when I was younger. I tighten the strap and dash back to Sensei.

He holds his hands behind his back while standing next to a bag, "Even thought elementals can have different elements, they all have to exercise their powers by physically moving. I am going to show you a palm stick," he grabs my hand tracing over palm but close to the wrist slowly moving up to my palm knuckles, "This is where you'll hit on the bag." He gets back up. Standing strong and showing the movements, "Try."

I set myself up in a similar pose, pushing forward with all my might.

It moves.

It moves a fraction of an inch but you can see it swaying.

I smile up at Sensei.

"Very good. A hundred more times." His eyes study me, "Then the same with the other hand."

I nod, "Yes, Sensei."

Slam.

Slam.

Thud. I was off on that one.

Slam.

Slam.

Thud.

Thud.

The bag starts swinging more as pinprick dance on my hand.

"Good, here's how to do it better," he walks behind me, showing me a different angle of that same motion, "Watch my heel." He strikes, pulling his heel up as he moves, "Your legs are stronger than your arms. All day every day, they support you. You jump on them, run, walk and stand on them. Use them."

I nod. Trying again.

This time the bag swings furthers.

"Good. You catch on fast." He holds his hands behind his back as I go again, "Again."

Minutes melt into hours as my palm starts to sting. I keep going, pausing only for water and advice from Sensei.

97.

98.

99.

SLAM! I drop my stance, finally done. And right when my hands are all red.

"Excellent work." Sensei smiles in approval. "We should finish up soon for dinner. One more thing," he walks off to the other end. Flicking his hat he holds still, "Blow the hat off. Gently."

I force myself back up, standing strong as I practice pushes. Gentle. Gentle. Gentle.

I push my palm forward. Breezes swirl to the hat and for nothing.

He hums, " you'll get it tomorrow. Go wash up for supper."

"Yes, Sensei." I blow on my hands, trying to cool them off, "One question. What does washing up mean?"

He tilts his head, "Do you know what a bath is?"

I shake my head no, "What's a bath-e?"

"Supper can wait." He walks into my room, nodding for me to follow him, "I'll help you." He closes the door behind me only to open another door to a whole other room with a mirror a small table and some kind of cement hole in the structure. "Undress."

Wait, what? I don't..he's Sensei. He knows everything. I start unbuttoning my shirt.

He turns a knob and water comes out. I mean how cool is that? Mabey I should explore my home tomorrow so I can get all the amazement out at once. He puts his hand underwater, "Get in."

"Like in the water?" I stop undressing at my pants.

Sensei seems puzzled, "Yes. Did you expect the water to jump out and wash you?"

I tilt my head side to side, "Well I mean if Maya's around..."

Sensei smirks while shaking his head, "just get in," he throws a towel at me, "If it makes you feel better, you can put that around your waist." He starts pouring in some pink stuff and bubbles cover the tub.

I slowly come in. My nice clothes toss on all over the floor. It's an odd second or two before Sensei turns the flow off. I look in, "Now what?"

"You step in. Here." He picks me up by the armpits.

HOT!

I curl away from the water, "Why's it so hot?"

"Go back in." Sensei holds me in one arm while taking the towel off. He lowers me again only for me to start curling up into a ball away from the water, "Morro."

"It's too hot." I've been in water before. I've snuck in swimming lessons from the circus in a lake. But normal water is super cold. But this...it's like being dipped in a fire.

Ok mabey I'm being a little dramatic but it's hot is my point.

Sensei growls as he bends over, "it's fine. You just need to get. Used. To it!"
Inchs above the bubbles, I spiral my arms and legs out, holding me just above the water. Nu-uh. Not until it cools down, "No!"

Sensei tosses off his hat, trying to pull my arm up and push it in, "You will go in!" He frowns, grabbing both arms and plunging me in head first. The rest of me follows as I pop my head above the bubbles. Sensei tiredly smiles as he grabs another bottle, "And you will enjoy it!"
"No!" HOT! I start fighting to get out before I look like a lobster.

By the end of my bath. The bathroom's a wet, sloppy mess. Even my bed wasn't safe, (I may have escaped and run away from the sponge once...or twice.) it's wet.

Sensei breaths heavily as my hair drips onto my shoulders, "Did you have to make that so difficult?"

I roll my eyes when he isn't looking as I dry myself. "Did the water have to be so hot?"

He sighs, rubbing his eyes, "It's getting late. I'm going to bed, we have leftovers in the icebox. Good night." He heads off, probably needing a towel of his own.

I dress in my comfort clothes before getting a quick snake and laying down in bed. I toss off the wet covers. That's a tomorrow problem. I close my eyes, feeling exhausted but sleep just out of reach. I've only got a thin bed sheet that isn't soaked. And I'm freezing. Great, first I was hot and now I'm cold.

I get up, shivering as I look for a linen closet for a blanket. I hold the knob, turning it as it creeks loudly.

Sensei moans from his room, mabey I didn't wake him up. I feel around, no blankets. I wish I had a light. A small, soft, warm glow light up behind me. Sensei looks sleepy, "Are we out of blankets?"

I nod. If I look hard enough, I bet I'll see my fingers turning blue. I hug myself while shaking like a leaf.

"You're shivering. Let me guess? Out of good blankets?"

"Yup."

"Hmm." He gently touches my back, "I've got the only warm sheets, would you like to sleep in my bed."

"Yes please." I carefully walk in, crawling into the warmth's embrace. Sensei lays down, blows out the candle. I shut my eyes, "Good night, Sensei. Thank you for letting me in."

He hums, "Pleasent dreams, Morro." This is much better but I still feel a little chilly. I must be shaking the bed. Sensei yawns, "Still cold?"

"Hmm-mm."

He opens up his arms, "Come closer. Body warmth and covers will warm you up."

I scoot in, instantly getting more tired as his arms close around me. Ahh, perfect. I smile as sleep finally gets to me, "Thank you."

"Shh, it's time for you to sleep...chosen one."