{location: The Monestary} (Morro's POV)[When he was 15 years old]

"Whoa," I handspring away from silver nunchucks. Kicking up the staff into my hands. I sneer at Wohira, bouncing on her feet and no clue as to what's happening around her, "Wohira, control. How often do we have to come back to that?"

She shrugs before advancing forward, "Oh come on Mr. Green Ninja. We both know you can take it." She aims for my knees.

I raise them as she pushes me back. She never takes anything seriously. I thought that she'd gotten a little straightened out for Sensei's training but nope. Nothing but dumb puns, jokes, and quips.

And SHE NEVER SHUTS UP! I steady my staff, considering a handful of swings before she gets wise in using her powers.

"SWEEP THE LEG!" Liuxe calmy shouts as Ray holds a teapot in one hand and a small flickers of fire in the other. boiling some tea for Sensei.

Ray squints thought the morning sun, "I don't know if Wohira can reach that low. 'Member, he's mini-man."

Sensei's training has definitely worked on Liuxe. His ice is much more under control now. But he might be pushing himself too far. Like how his powers have now affected his hair color. Snowy white. And at 16.

I half roll my eyes as Wohira actually sweeps my leg. I tumble, quickly kicking up while aiming for her wrists. I miss but quickly take the lead.

Ray nudges Joeseph, cracking some joke at my expanse no doubt.

Wohira backs off, showing off a little lighting between her fingers and the nunchuck, "All right windy, is that how you wanna play? 'Cuse I'll play just as ruff." She charges.

On instinct, I drop my staff, catch. Disarm and pull her into a grip. I quickly pin her up against a post, drawing close to look at her light amber- brown roots.

"KISS HER ALREADY!" Ray snickers.

My friends are so cheesy sometimes. "But I-" Creek. Thud. I turn to see Maya opening the red gates. She seems ticked off about something as she brushes her fingers through her hair before tieing it down into a braid. My eyes can't look away and my cheeks get really warm really fast. Something in my stomach skips as my lips pull upward.

"Ohh-AI," Wohira break my grip, throwing me back. Locking my head in a chock, "And Ray, EWW to the nth degree."

Sensei hits a small gong, telling her to let go of me.

I rub my neck, watching as Maya exchanges nasty looks with Ray. Gah, why is it so hot on a mountain?

When it's fall.

And an hour after dawn.

I shake my head as I get on to my feet, licking my lips before pushing Ray, "Really. I don't like her that way!"

Maya walks by, going to chitchat with Wohira. And like a magnet, my head follows her. Did she do something new with her makeup. She looks great.

Ray snickers before punching me back, "But you do like a her in this merry band, hm?"

"I..I...Shut...Don't." I'm flustered as Liuxe and Joseph surround me, "Idiot."

"OOOH." Joseph folds his arms while looking as big as a bolder, "Does someone have their first crush? Tiny's finally growing up."

"Give it a break, I'm a late bloomer, 'k?" A very late bloomer but that's way besides the point. And I am practically a teenager, I already have three chest hairs.

Liuxe can't resist, "If you are so delighted to see her, you should ask Maya out."

I shake my head, finding it hard to swallow, "No."

Ray sets down the water, wrapping his arm over my shoulders, "Dude, I don't think dating will interfere with being the chosen one. Besides, all you do is train and train. Other then us you'd be a mega loner. You should go for it after her class." He keeps wiggling her eyebrows, overly enjoying my embarrassment.

"I don't want to." I throw his arm off, popping my collar to hide my blushing cheeks. I mean if IF I were to ask, why would she go out with a shrimpy 4 6" kid what doesn't even have any chest hair.

Liuxe glances over at Sensei, judging when to cut off the conversation at, "Why not? I am positive that Maya would be thrilled to go out with you."

"I um...don't know how to talk to girls." I look up at the beautiful sky, seeing no clouds and a sunny day today.

Joseph leans in, somehow mocking me with his beard, "What was that, pint-size?"

"I .don't know how to talk to girls." Please, please, please for the love of the first spinjutzu master, don't ask it again. Or better yet, Sensei, please call your part-time students over to start class! Just something, to get me out of this stupid conversation.

Ray yanks my collar back down, "Dude, we won't laugh, promise Come on. It's fine."

I trust them. We're friends. I kick the ground a little, twisting the ball of my foot around, "I...don't know how to talk to girls."
They bust up laughing.

Of course.

How'd I fall for that again?

"I get it. Shut up!" I peek behind them, to see weirded outlooks from Wohira, Sensei and Maya. I start slapping the backs of their head, trying to quite them down, "Yeah-uh, ha ha ha ha, super funny joke. Don't you have to get your butts kicked right about now?"

Liuxe covers his mouth as he's red from the laughter, "Morro is right. But we are not done with the conversation." He and Joesaphe leave to grab their gear.

And lucky for me, I'm right next to Ray's stuff. Ray sighs a few times as he pulls out his training stuff, "How can you have trouble talking with girls? You talk with Wohira for hours." He starts stretching out his arms, flexing his guns to Wohira.

"That's more like listing don't ya think?"

He rolls his eyes as he pulls off a red workout jacket, "Well what changed with Maya? I thought you two loved hanging out together."

"I don't know." I don't even think she likes me like that. I chew on my lower lip. "I mean we do and nothing's really changed with Maya. Just that....mabey I've changed. Ug! I don't...I have no idea what I mean."

"We all go through it little buddy," Ray ruffles my hair before stretching, "After class, I wanna teach ya some tips and tricks. K?"

"Sure." Just anything to get me out of this conversation it good with me. "Have fun." I scamper off, opening a bamboo door just to see Ray strangely looking at Maya. Probably thinking on how to pull a prank on her... unless he really did. Witch may be why she looked a bit miffed earlier. If I'm desperate enough, I could always prank him back in revenge for her.

The door clicks closed behind me. That was mortifying. I slide down and wall, trying to keep my heart slow. That was beyond embarrassing.

A second or two later, I pull my hair into a low ponytail. Chore time.

It's my week for dishes.

Dishes aren't too bad, only they take forever to dry right. (And I end up cheating and drying them with my wind power.)

Luckily, it's not much. I pump soap in and grab a sponge, grabbing the closest plate, turning on the warm water.

Water.

Maya's element.

My cheeks get warm as I think about her lovely curls in her hair her hope-filled gorgeous eyes and-

"Morro?" Sensei holds his teapot, scaring me a little, "Why are you holding your hands under water? Doing nothing?"

In frount of me is a huge bubbly mess. How long was I daydreaming? "Um..." I pull my hands out, drying them, "Got distracted."

"Were you distracted by your thoughts or by a certian girl on your mind?"

My lips purse together. How'd he-

"Joseph filled me in on your 'admiration' for Maya."

Oh.

That's how.

Sensei leans up against the countertop, "The others are sparing. I just want to confirm my suspicions." His green eyes get this goofy happy look in them, "Is it true?"

My cheeks get warms and my stomach forms into shapes, "Maybe. I don't know. I mean Maya doesn't make me nervous but I find myself talking a lot and I get really hot then my palms get sweaty but whenever she's not around I can't stop thinking about her and-"

"In short." He can't hold down a wide smirk, "You have your first crush."

I find myself nodding, "I guess."

Before I know it, he tightly wraps his arms around me, "You're growing up so fast. Seems just like yesterday I was giving you a proper bath and now you've got your first crush."

"Thanks?" Is he trying to chock me? What's going on? "What are you doing?"

"It's called a hug."

"A hug?"

"Just accept it." he pulls back before pulling me in again, "When are you going to ask her out?"

"Ask her out?!"

"Yes." He can't hold down a smile, "You should ask her out on a date."

I shake my head, "No. No. No, no, nope."

"Yes."

I pull away to no luck. "Nope."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to. I mean I can't. I...I"

"You're just scared. I'll help you."

"I'm fine. I shouldn't have anything distract me from my training." I manage to splash soapy water at the back of his head.

He snickers, "You? Louse forces. You're joking, right? You'll be fine." He lets go only to splash me back. "Just go up and ask her."

I smile wide, flicking bubbly water at his face, "I don't want to. I can bearly get out a sentence. How can I possibly ask her on a date?"

"I can help you. Confidence, a clear mind, and practice. Think about what you want to say to her. " He chuckles as neither of us will give in. We're both strong-willed, determined and hungry for victory...even though it's kind of a dumb fight. "Do you want me to talk with Maya with you?" Sensei grabs a bowl, tossing it over my head.

My eyes are shut tight, I shake off, cleaning my face with a towel. "Nah. I wasn't going to ask today anyway."

He puts it down, "I took it too far. Sorry."

"I'm just going to clean up." Droplets drop against my back, I'll admit, that was fun. I might not want to do that again but I wouldn't take that back. I run into someone. Maya.
"Hey Morro," She frowns, her hands on her hips, "Did you...Were you going to ask me something?"

"I...No.-Can't. Dumb," My cheeks are on fire. My stomach curls.

"I heard your 'talk' with Wu. And nothing tends to stay quiet around here for long." Maya curls her hair behind her ears, finding the floor interesting.

Not too far off (and not too secretly) the others spy on our interaction. Giggling and chuckling at our expense.

I nod like an idiot, "uh-huh."

"I'm good for this Friday at 3. What about a picnic in Jamanakai village?"

So cute. So pretty. I hold my hands over my stomach. Digging my nails into my hands, "Sure."

"Awesome." She twirls her hand, cleaning my hair up, "I can bring the food if you're ok with the blanket, plates, and cups."

"Un-hun."

"Great." She giggles while skipping off. She pauses at the door, winking at me before zipping off.

Date. Me. "MayaIwantedtoaskyouonadate! Oh. She's gone." I can't help but smile. Getting extremely laughter from Ray, Joeseph, and Liuxe. But whatever, screw them.

Yeah, I was supposed to ask her out but this is pretty good as well. Oh my gosh, I got a date. I got a date! I got a DATE! I GOT A DATE! "WO-HOO!" I jump. The sound of sharp wind rocking the roof. I tuck my arms under my armpits. Rocking back and forth before zipping off to my room.

Wait, that's in 2 days. Crap what do I need for a date?

I jump and land on my pillow and screaming into it, "I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING BUT I'M SURE GONNA MESS IT UP!"

My window squicks open. Liuxe smiles as I flop back down into my pillow, "Everything ok?"

"Peachy."

"I am sensing that you want to talk. I have approximately another minute and a half if you wish to talk."

I pull my pillow out, throwing it at him with no real aim, "Another time. Go before Sensei notices you're missing."