Chapter 2
Several minutes later, Espio and Salley were standing behind a huge tree, getting ready for
the first course.
"For your first lesson," said Espio, "you'll need to use good spying skills. Ninjas lurk in the
shadows in order to strike their targets."
"I've read about that," said Salley.
"Good, but if you want to get it right, you need to watch and learn. Shhh." Espio saw a
pedestrian walk by the tree. Then, without a sound, he struck it with his shurukin. He turned back to Salley.
"You have to attack them without making a sound," he said. "Try it." Salley waited for another pedestrian to
come by. When it did, she quietly pounced on it and struck it with her kunai.
Espio walked to her. "Not bad, Salley," he said. "But next time, don't pounce on the
target."
"Sorry," said Salley.
"It's okay. That's why you're learning. Let's try a few more." A couple more pedestrians
showed up and Salley struck them, one by one. And the best part, she didn't pounce on them that time.
"Excellent work," said Espio, clapping his hands. "You're really getting the hang of it."
Salley blushed and giggled. "…Thanks, mentor."
"Please, call me Espio."
"Alright…Espio." The two ninjas giggled. "Am I ready for the next course?"
"Certainly, but are you sure you want to do this?"
"Sure, I'm confident. I can take on anything."
"Well, for this one, you have to fight me for it. You're not afraid, are you?"
"Nah. But the question is, are you confident about fighting a girl?"
"I've done this before. Trust me."
"Then, bring it on!"
At the second course, Espio and Salley were standing on a huge matt, getting warmed up
for the fight. Espio cracked his knuckles while Salley stretched out her legs and arms.
After that, the chameleon asked, "Are you ready to face me?"
"Ready any time," said Salley. She was about to punch her mentor, but he blocked it. The
cat-girl fell to the ground.
Espio smirked at her. "You've got to do better than that."
Salley got up and growled at him.
"Now, it's my turn." Espio kicked Salley near her leg and it hurt a little bit. However, the
young apprentice didn't give up. As Espio was trying to punch her, she blocked most of them. For the last
one, she did a back flip.
"I'm really impressed with your guarding," said Espio. "However, you have to try to fight
me back." He stood on one leg and used a 'come on' sign language hand. Salley charged at him again and
missed a couple times. But at the other punches, she hit him near the leg, stomach, and face, until she got
tired.
"Is it over?" she asked, panting and falling to the ground.
"Yes," Espio replied. "But since we're not in good shape, let's take a break." He walked
up to and held out his hand. When Salley took it, she flipped Espio, knocking him to the ground. He panted
heavily, for he didn't really expect that to happen.
Salley looked down at him. "You didn't see that coming, did you?"
"No, I didn't." Espio felt a pain on his tail. He looked at it and saw that it was bruised.
Salley was worried. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Salley, it's okay. It's just a little bruise. I don't mean to make you upset."
"I swear, I won't do it again."
"That's fine. C'mon, let's get the mat cleaned up."