Author's Note: I do not own Ben 10. Yet we've all considered it at least one time or is that just me?

'...' is thinking

"..." is speaking

Thunk

'Ok Ben you got this. No need to freak out. Ignore the crazy giant horse-lady who hates your guts.'

Twang. Thunk.

'So what if I can't use the omnitrix? I got this. Easy.'

Swish. Twang. Thunk.

'No need to panic. I still got this. I am AWESOME.'

Ben repeated this to himself yet again as he readied his bronze bow at the target; an average height straw man with red circles painted sloppily right in the middle of his battered chest.

After the long and stressful hike up the mountain they arrived at the training grounds. The training grounds was an open and dusty area of land with a border of thick trees leading it to look circular in shape. The grounds was high enough over the forest to see all of the Centaur's small village and seemed to be a common place for Centaurs to practice when they weren't on duty which everyone seemed to be today. Bellatrix ordered the two to line up as one would expect to in a military leading them unable to take in their new surroundings. Within the span of a single breath she explained all there was to know about how to hold, aim, release and adjust the course of the bow through the air. A second later she shoved the weapons in their hands and thrust them onto opposite ends of the training grounds warning them if there wasn't five arrows in vital spots on the target's body by the end of their training they would be practicing until the sun came up. Ben wished he could see how Gwen was doing just to get an idea of what to do, sadly for him though Bellatrix decided she would much rather stay and monitor him and he decided it was best not to turn around.

Quickly he side-glanced to see how Bellatrix was doing. Her arms were folded and her head was tilted ever so slightly to one side trying to study him. Her face was also still a lively red. Not from the heat or embarrassment, but from unspoken rage. Once Kahina made her teacher she was forced to behave as how a teacher would. Rationally. And rationally, teachers to not kill their students. Or at least Ben hoped that was the case in Centaur societies.

Blinking away the mental image of being killed by a hundred flying arrows he readjusted his stance as how he always saw Indians do it in old Westerns. With a small prayer he released the arrow from his grip. The arrow flew effortlessly through the air at the speed of a bullet. With the feather tipped end flowing it seemed almost invincible and would be too... If Ben wasn't the archer of course. The arrow flew clean passed the target's head, hit the same tree yet again and fell deflated onto a pile of arrows from previous failed attempts.

"You do know we only have so many of those, Benjamin." Bellatrix said relatively calm though her eyes were alight with buried insults. With a quick trot to the tree she bent down and assessed the damage. Managing to pick out five unbroken arrows she ran back and shoved them into his hands. Digging her sharpened fingers into his shoulders she roughly turned him to face the target.

"Now for the last time. The target is the target. Not the tree-"

She twisted him in the direction of the tree for extra measure just in case he had forgotten what tree she was talking about.

"-the target. Understand me, Benjamin?"

Ben gave a short and curt nod. She shoved him out of her grip and took a few steps backwards. Her tail flicking side to side irritably, arms folded and eyes narrowed unimpressed by what she saw. Ben was still gaining his balance from the push and swallowing his nerves he tried again. This time the arrow fell limply by the targets feet. Ben didn't even need to look at her to know she was face-palming herself.

"At least it's now in the right direction. That's fine. That's definitely fine." with an exasperated sigh she pulled out a few more arrows from her quiver and handed them to him.

"I'll be back in a moment." she said beginning to walk away. Before he even realized what he was doing he spoke.

"Wait."

Bellatrix turned around placing one slender hand on her hip. They stood for a moment in a tense pause until she spoke.

"My silence is your cue, Benjamin."

"You hate me don't you?" he blurted out. He wouldn't normally ask, after all he has been in people's bad books all the time. Still those were always villains or bullies. He had never been hated by someone he had to work with. Bellatrix remained stoic and her expression neutral. For a moment he thought she hadn't heard him and opened his mouth to repeat the question.

"Stand straight when you ask a question otherwise you look weak." she reprimanded him.

Realizing he in fact was slouching slightly he stood up as straight as humanly possible. She approached him stiffly, closing the gap until they were only an arm's width away from each other.

"Let's get a few things straight." she said vehemently, Ben remained still. She started counting on her fingers as if trying to remember all the items on a grocery list.

"I don't like your attitude. In general and towards those higher than you. I don't trust you or your judgement and I haven't found an ounce of respect for you." she said, her eyes fixed on him as if she could somehow drill holes through his head if she tried hard enough. Ben nodded taking each blow with stride.

"However,-" she started, her hand still holding on to her last finger in case she changed her mind by what she would say next. She shook her head unbelievingly to even herself for what she was about to say. Ben waited in impatient anticipation for whatever she was going to say next. He swore for a moment he saw the steel glare in her eyes soften.

"I don't hate you." A moment later she scoffed at herself.

"So... how shall I put this? If you can try to improve your attitude, your judgement, your maturity and your aim I'll try to be..." she racked her brain for that one word she was looking for.

"Nicer." her face stretched with every forced syllable not used to uttering such a foreign word in her life. She even looked to Ben to see if she got the word right and didn't mistake it for something else.

"Really?" Ben said his mood completely risen. Bellatrix let out a small outtake of breath out of relief and gave a short, curt yes. Ben now smiled for the first time since he had arrived at the training grounds.

"Thanks Trixie." Bellatrix's eye twitched.

"Must you insist on that despicable nickname?" she asked through grinded teeth.

"Yip." he said and re-aimed his arrow before releasing. The arrow landed a mere inch away from the target's feet. An improvement she was pleased to note.

"I'm going to check on your cousin. Try to hit a vital spot, Benjamin."

With this Ben made a small noise to say he understood and took aim. This time he managed to hit the target. True it wasn't a bullseye and nowhere near a vital spot, but he was now progressing at an increasing rate. Finally convinced her job with him was done for now she made her way to the young Witch. Surely she was a better marksman than her cousin. What she saw, however, made her almost stop in her tracks.

"Gwendolyn." Bellatrix said sceptically, approaching the young girl with cautious steps. Gwen nearly jumped out of her shoes as she turned around completely surprised by her sudden appearance.

"I'm sorry Lieutenant Bellatrix Calhoun, Head of-"

"Lieutenant Bellatrix will suffice for now." she said cutting her off with a gingerly flick of her wrist.

"R-right." Gwen said and re-adjusted her steel bow, closing one eye to focus on the target.

"Gwendolyn." Bellatrix repeated in a lighter tone, almost on a conversational level. Gwen lowered the bow and turned to look up at her. Bellatrix stood with her hands held behind her back, eyes widened slightly in a mixture of amusement, curiosity and slight disappointment as she assessed the scene.

"Have you fired a single arrow since I left you alone forty-five minutes ago?"

Gwen bit her lower lip to stop her mouth from opening and turned away to hide her shock. Had it really been that long?

"No I haven't." Gwen mumbled.

Bellatrix's eyes narrowed and she pursed her lips as she tried to truly think about her answer.

"Why?" she finally asked after a brief pause. Gwen began listing her problems.

"The bow doesn't feel right; it's really heavy and every time I aim my bow the wind picks up and I have to re-adjust my grip-"

"I've heard enough." Bellatrix said causing Gwen to shut her mouth with an audible clunk. Gwen let out a low whisper.

"I don't think I'm cut out for archery."

"Now I've heard more than enough." she repeated with a twinge of annoyance behind her words. Bellatrix ripped the bow from Gwen's hands in one swift movement and Gwen believed she was going to send her down the long path in disgust. Preparing for the worst Gwen was slightly surprised to see Bellatrix was not yelling at her. Instead she was looking at the bow and seemed to carefully weigh it in her one hand.

"In all honesty I didn't consider your build when I presented you with the bow." she thought aloud to herself. Making her way to the little cabin near the centre of the grounds and returned a few moments later with a bow and arrows made out of wood.

"This is oak so it should be a bit lighter than the steel." she explained gently holding out the weapon in her open palms for Gwen to take.

"Thank you." she said and took the bow. Her heart gave a leap when she realized just how much more comfortable the bow felt in her hands than the last one. Excitedly she re-focused when a gust of wind swept pass.

"The wind is still a problem."

"I can't help you with that. You're just going to have to use your Inner-strength." Bellatrix said.

"What are you talking about?"

Walking around Gwen, Bellatrix pulled out her own bow; a golden bow with dark intricate black markings that seemed to be a language of sorts and shone bright as though it was made from the Sun. She pulled put an arrow from her quiver which matched her weapon as if they were one in the same. The tips of the arrow was hardened in a red-purple amber-like substance.

"We call it Inner-strength." she said adjusting into an aiming stance in one swift motion.

"Humans would probably call it instinct, using your heart or your very essence that makes you physically strong. Some may go so far as to say 'using your soul' I guess." She placed the arrow in its correct position and pulled it back effortlessly, eyes narrowing as she focused in at her target.

"Centaurs already have a high awareness of their Inner-strength so naturally we can master any weapon we choose. Once you've mastered it you can master anything. Observe." she said and released the arrow; if it wasn't for the deafening crack in the air Gwen wouldn't have known the arrow had been released. After a moment to get over what happened she spoke up.

"Uh. Lieutenant Bellatrix?"

"Yes, Gwendolyn?"

"You missed."

Bellatrix began laughing. At least that's what Gwen assumed was the noise was amongst her snorts. Placing her hand carefully in the small of Gwen's back she lead her a bit farther to the edge of the steep cliff that Gwen was practicing near. Not knowing what Bellatrix was doing Gwen turned to look at her. Bellatrix crouched lower, smirked and pointed downwards.

"Did I?" Looking down Gwen took a moment before she noticed what she was pointing at. Passed the ocean of trees, down to the bug-sized First-hand combat squad Gwen watched as Kaden and Kevin looked in alarm at the dummy they were practicing on. Right between the eyes of the straw-filled target was her arrow.

"Missed a target HA! I haven't heard someone accuse me of something so ridiculous in a long time." Gwen looked up at the smiling Bellatrix with a new found respect and admiration before turning to face Kaden and Kevin again. Kaden plucked off the arrow, seemed to immediately recognise who it came from and yelled something Gwen guessed was on the lines of 'Show off' towards their direction. An even brighter warm smile spread on Bellatrix's face before disappearing with an impromptu cough signalling the end of the fun.

"Right, Gwendolyn. If I can shoot that I'm positive you can shoot the target directly in front of you before the day is done."

With new found motivation Gwen gave a quick 'Yes Lieutenant' and ran back to her position. Bellatrix rose up and followed behind her at a slow pace savouring the small feeling of content she was experiencing and trying to not let the two humans see it. She heard the sound of whooping and turned to see Ben jumping up and down in delight as the arrow pierced a vital spot within the red rings on the target's chest. Turning to see Bellatrix he waved her down and pointed at the target like an excited kid showing off his artwork. She said nothing, but motioned for him to continue with a blank expression on her face.

Around the same time Gwen puffed out her chest with pride as the arrow landed a bullseye. Ben immediately declared war on her which Gwen retaliated by shooting her target with yet another bullseye. A thought crossed Bellatrix's mind which she immediately shoved out as she cantered to Ben's side to stop him from doing anything brash.

This wasn't so bad after all.

Author's Note: Thank you so much to all those who have followed, favourite-d and reviewed my story it truly means a lot to me that you're enjoying it! I don't think there's much needed to explain in this chapter so if you have any questions though just send me a PM! Oh but I'll take this time to quickly point out my chapter names have been named after songs which I used either for lyrics, title or for the tone. The songs that the first 10 chapters were named after are:

Taylor Swift - Everything Has Changed

It's Time - Imagine Dragons

Demons - Imagine Dragons

It's On - Superchick

Riot - Three Days Grace

Long Road to Ruin - Foo Fighters

Why am I the One - Fun

Brave - Sara Bareilles

Ready! Aim! Fire! - Imagine Dragons

In case anyone wished to know :)

Again thank you so much and once again reviews on OC's are appreciated so I know if I'm doing anything wrong, if I'm making the actual characters to OOC or if there's anything you wish to comment about with the chapter.

Until next time!

~Necrofriggian Xx