CHAPTER 10 – MATCH

Now I had three new friends. Well, two actually. Yang had become to like Yin more than me, and I wouldn't blame her. She and Yin are both foxes that can talk and do other things that most humans can. Yin, on the other hand, always used to get along with just about anyone! I didn't know why, but I was in more of a mood to go to the lake then usual. Maybe because Sen, Yang, and Nara were going to be there today again. Being with them, sort-of made me feel like I had a family again. And I loved it!

Sen was just like me. Since we met, Yin and Yang have always went off together, and didn't seem to come back until around sunset. This left time for me and Sen to grow closer together too. We always start talking about how we could be soo different, yet so alike. But, somehow, we always ended up talking about Baki and Nara.

"I just can't believe those two boys. They're always fighting or having a match! But, I've got to say. Since they've met, Nara leaves me alone most of the time. And I'm glad about that! Hey, Lein?"

"Yeah? What is it Sen?"

"What is we had a match ourselves? Come on, it'll be fun! We've never seen what the other can do."

"Well, um, okay? But only until…until anyone shows up. Like Yin, Yang, or even Baki or Nara. Promise?"

"Promise. But, let's go easy on each other the first ten minutes, then we'll get serious. That is, until one of us gets hurt, then we'll stop right away! What do you say?"

"Um…alright. Easy the first en, the serious, go it!" It was easier said then done. I had only used my gift seriously when I was training by myself, making sure no one got hurt. Plus, to make it worse, I'd never fought before! Sen probably knew what she was doing, so it meant she'd done it before.

"Ready Lein?"

"Yeah."

"You want to begin, or should I?"

"You."

"Alright. BEGIN!"

Sen began in a pose, or stance. Then she waved her arms and hands making fire appear completely under her control. It was little, like a candle flame, but I had to be careful. I had to protect myself against any attacks that could come at any time. I moved my palm up to my waist, summoning a water bubble. It was about the same size as the flame. That's just where I wanted it. As soon as I blinked, I saw her begin to run toward me. She had one hand in front of her body, and the other to her side. I had t think of a way to dodge it, so I made five water clones to take the hit for me. Now, instead of one Lein to attack, she had to find out which was the real me out of the six that were standing before her. She stopped in her tracks for a second, then continued. She would have hit a clone, if Nara hadn't jumped out of the bush, stopping her attack.

"What do you think you're doing? Lein is your friend! Why would you attack her?"

"Let me go Nara. Lein and I…"

"Put the fire out, now!"

"Nara! Sen and I were having a match. Just like you and Baki do all the time. Besides you two…where is Baki?"

"He and I were about to start our match like everyday, but he stopped just before. He said he forgot something, and need to return to the village as soon as he could."

"Baki, forget something? That's not like him…in fact, it's the complete opposite! Baki's never forgot anything before in his life, except things that don't really matter. What'd he forget?"

"Not sure, he didn't say. But he's acted really weird around me today! Like he's not himself."

Sen just looked at both of us, and thought of something. "How so?"

"Well, for starters, he forgot my name. THREE TIMES, in the SAME HOUR! Lein, you know him more then anyone else. Did he hit his head, or something on his way here?"

"No, but now that I think about it…he has been acting weird since we left school today. Like a completely different person!