Ch 18
The incident with the pirates had left Alex feeling pretty self confident about her Spinjitzu. She could now use it easily, rather than in short spurts like before, where she had had to concentrate hard. This new step, combined with her dragon riding skills and her acceptance with the team, made Alex more determined than ever to keep training and grow into her chosen role.
So once the sun had risen, Alex had immediately went downstairs from her permanent sleeping spot outside and scooted into the kitchen to make breakfast. By the time she had prepared most of the food, the ninja were only just waking up.
"Well, you seem busy this morning," Zane observed as he went into the kitchen to set the table, "Might I ask why?"
"I want to get a nice start today so I can begin my training." Alex flipped the last pancake and set it with the others. Zane looked a bit concerned, "But you have been working very hard as it is. Perhaps you should take a break?"
Alex immediately shook her head, "And let you guys have all the fun? No way! I'm going to learn to control my power and prove I can be of help to you guys."
Zane was about to speak, but the Green Ninja interrupted. "Remind me how many times you guys have cast me back and said I wasn't prepared, but in the end I saved your butts?" This silenced the white ninja, and brought a chuckle to a half asleep Kai. "Yea, you've got a point there," the fire ninja pointed out as he clumsily stepped around the others, who were also trying to wake up.
"Ouch! Hey watch it will you?"
After everyone was seated, Alex and Zane served out a nice breakfast of blueberry pancakes, with spinach and cheese omelets and sausages, and a nice glass of fresh orange juice. Even the chatty ninja of lightning stopped his conversation as he and the others dug into the delicious meal served before them.
"Wow, Alex, really outdid yourself on this," Nya complimented as she took a bite of her omelet. "Yea, but why so early? We usually don't have breakfast for another hour at least," Jay pointed out. Alex looked to him, "I just want to get a headstart on my training for the day. So if you'll excuse me," the Green Ninja grabbed her empty plate and put it in the sink, "I'm going to go change. And I suggest you all do too." On that note, Alex went to the bathroom to freshen up.
"Uh. What was that? Have we really pushed her that far?" Jay spoke out loud, causing the others to slap him to get him to lower his voice.
"Sorry," he whispered, "But if she's really this obsessed with training, do you think it might be because she wants to make a point? I mean we did place her on the sidelines all those times."
"If that's the reason, then I can't blame her for being determined," Nya interjected, "I seem to recall all of you doing the same, especially my brother the hot head over here." She jabbed Kai in the side.
"Ow! Ok I get it! We may be pushing her because of our denial of her abilities, but then what do we do? Give her a day off?"
"I believe that is exactly what she needs." Sensei walked into the room, smelling of tea and smoke. "Alex may think she must go over her own limits to prove she can handle her power, but in reality, I sense she is drained enough as it is." Cole looked down at the ground, remembering Alex's nightmare issue, "But how do we break it to her? If we refuse Alex any training, she'll bite our heads off."
"She can be a little short tempered," Zane agreed, "But perhaps we should let her train. At least, for a little while. Then maybe we can divert her away from her goals and show her how much we care for her, and that we do believe in her abilities."
The others thought in silence for a minute. "Why not?" Kai stepped in, "That way, Alex gets what she wants and what's best for her."
As they agreed, they heard the bathroom door open, and ceased conversation as Alex entered the room, dressed in her green gi. "Well are we going or not? Because your plates seem empty to me." Alex's comment drove the ninja to get up and prepare for the training day, and what would follow.
Once the group had arrived at the dojo, Alex immediately began to warm up, doing all sorts of planks, pushups, and more.
"Jeez. I knew she was driven, but this is crazy!" Jay looked to the Green Ninja.
"Don't forget, she does come from a place where she needs to be prepared for anything," Kai pointed out, "She must have had to always be on the alert and had to practice a lot to keep in shape."
The four looked down as they remembered the day when Alex had retold her past. Any world as oppressive as that should have been maddening; what with the constant distrust and will to survive that drove a person to his breaking point.
But besides the point, the group began their training of Alex, starting off with working on her Spinjitzu.
"Ninja-Go!" An emerald green tornado appeared around Alex, and she managed to control it with ease, moving around the room carefully, until Dareth had to step in the way.
"AAH! Not again!" Dareth was spun onto the floor as Alex halted her tornado and regained her balance. "Oops. Sorry Dareth, but you should really be more careful when you're walking around us from now on." Alex walked over and helped the Brown Ninja up onto his feet. "Thanks, doll, but I could have easily held off a feeble twister like that one," the 'grand' sensei flexed as he struck a clunky karate pose.
Alex snorted, "Yea sure you could." She walked back to the others to begin a sparring session.
As she fought against Kai blade to blade, Alex felt as though she had the hang of her butterfly swords. She could now parry his blows with ease, as well as strike at her experienced teacher.
"Great job!" Kai remarked as he was disarmed by Alex, "You really are getting stronger every day." Alex nodded in gratitude, and handed the katana back to Kai. She turned to the others, "So what should I work on now?"
This caught the three ninja by surprise, since Alex had been going nonstop with her training. Perhaps now was the time to divert her from her crazed goals.
Cole walked over, "Actually, we're going to take a break from training right now. How about coming with one of us for lunch?"
Alex hesitated at the offer. How was she going to get anything done at this rate? But after grappling with her alternatives, she sighed softly and agreed.
This brought an inward sigh of relief from the four. No one had gotten hurt from this question.
"Ok then. How about we all change out and see what the plan is," Kai decided, and soon the group disbanded to change into clean clothes.
Alex quickly changed into a loose teal shirt with a pair of skinny jeans and white Converse high tops. As she glanced around the room, she noticed the others seemed to still be changing, which was surprising, since guys usually don't care as much for their appearance as girls (no sexism intended)
As she waited in the dojo, Dareth walked into the room, surprised to find the Green Ninja here. But at the same time, the self proclaimed Brown Ninja found this to be a possible chance to show off to the rookie, the kind, very attractive rookie.
"So Alex," Dareth walked over to the girl, "Have you ever considered receiving private lessons from me? After all I am a highly skilled master, with many trophies."
"Aren't they all fake though?" Dareth had to pause to let the hurt sink in, but regained his composure. "Well trophies do not make the man. In fact, I find that with only a simple nudge, you can tell a lot about a man like me," Dareth responded as he lifted his arm to wrap it around the Green Ninja.
"Hey! What the HELL do you think you're doing?!" Dareth squeaked as Cole yelled at him from the other side of the room. "Uhhh.. nothing, just admiring.. your girlfriend's.. hair..."
Cole looked grumpy, "She's not my girlfriend, but at the same time, I don't think she wants any guy wrapping his arm around her without permission."
Dareth turned to a dumbfounded Alex, who quickly narrowed her eyes and brought up her hand in a slapping motion. The Brown Ninja freaked out, running out of the room, yelling apologies back at the two ninja.
"Ugh. To think he'd even try to do something like that," Alex turned to Cole, "Thanks, but what was that all about...?"
"Later," Cole interrupted, "The others left before you came out; you're coming with me for lunch." He smiled as he opened the door for her, "After all, I did say that I'd get you to try cake."
