When an announcement was made about existing Shoku Warriors, that time to take an apprentice had come. Individually getting a single candidate of their own to mold and teach in their own way. Gender and elements they control wouldn't be revealed until the interviewing process.
"Who do you think we're going to get?" Kimiko was already wondering.
"I don't mind who," Clay was already pondering, "Just want someone to earn and hands on."
"I'm up for anyone." Raimundo fist pumped the air.
"I am one that can't wait." Omi was already listing what he was going to do.
Dojo didn't care either way since he already knew the candidates and where they were coming. He kept to himself when everyone turned in for the night with anticipation in the air. Upon waking that morning they hurried to ready themselves for after not. Since a dragon with Dojo's coloring in reverse and about a foot larger in height than him. Landed in their courtyard with fourth promising youths and their teacher on her back.
"Shu Yung," Dojo greeted the female version of him, "Long time no see."
"Still haven't lost that weight?" She looked him over.
"You are still judgemental." He huffed.
She rolled her eyes at him when she lowered her tails as she hummed an answer for him. Two differently looking girls slid off her back with one helping the other when they dismounted. One was pale brown in color, bright eyes, straight black hair and beautifully white teeth. Strapless dress that came in a loud floral print that caught Raimundo's eye. Zori style sandals and the way she wore her hair in a loose French braid. Other was the leggy- blue eyed- blonde in sweater and mini shorts with full stockings and boots. Whose curls were in a secure ponytail using a hair band covered by a hair ribbon.
"I am Apikalia Ito," First girl stepped up, "Xiaolin Dragon of metal."
"I am Ambrose Atopeo," Other girl spun in place, "Xiaolin Dragon of Lightning."
Those two were soon joined by a young man who helped an Omi look- a- like off Shu Yung's back. When the Omi look- a- like was put on the ground was a chance actual Omi took. To confront him and fail when a person with Olive complexion, Dark And Glossy Hair, Hazel Eyes, and medium stature. I'm jeans and a long sleeve with tattered collar with graphic sneakers and socks. Passed him to ask if the Omi look- a- like was alright before introductions were made.
"I am Trent Gagnon and this is Ping Pong," Taller of the two introduces them, "Xiaolin Dragons of Sound and Plants."
Done to Ping Pong's height Trent went when his pants leg was tugged by him as he took a kneeling position. Whatever was whispered was between two with their eyes looking around. Left Omi confused when he couldn't make out what they were saying between them. Had him ready to interrupt when the last person off Shu Yung was an adult. She wore standard strobes of a master ranks monk with simplest of flats on her feet. Her hair was a complex braid turned into a bun that wrapped around a bun. Looked around the place before approaching Omi with an amused grin.
"Leave them be," She addressed Omi, "This is how they speak to one another."
"What are they saying? Is it about me? JHave I left a bad impression?" Omi's questions were amusing, "Who are you?"
"Kaori or the new cook," She looked fawnly toward Omi, "Either one I am addressing is fine.
"Then may I say it's glad to see you after so long," Master Fung greeted her like she was an old friend, "Time has been kind to you and how is Chen?"
"He is off on his search for a chest of lost memories and the Jade Hearts," She spoke of this Chen with a soft smile, "Wishes his former dragons good luck with their new teachers."
"Has he …" Master Fung was cut off when this Kaori waved her head side to side.
She sighed and closed her eyes to give her a few minutes before having her hand taken by Master Fung. Who would tighten his grip as she tightened her knowing he was comforting her. This was seen by Omi when the two separated and was asked to introduce himself.
"I am Omi," He proudly posed with his biggest smile, "Shoku Warrior of water."
This got him a kiss on his forehead by Kaori when she kneeled down to his height and patted his head. This opportunity allowed other Shoku Warriors to step up and introduce themselves to the new face. Just never happened when Kaori ended up guessing for them.
"Clay Bailey, Shoku Warrior of Earth. Kimiko Tohomiko, Shoku Warrior of fire. Raimundo Pedrosa, Shoku Warrior of wind." She pointed, each one out, "Am I correct?"
"Yes ma'am." Clay tipped his hat to her.
"Hai!" Kimiko nodded her head.
"Pretty much." Raimundo hadn't taken his eyes off Apikalia or Ambrose.
"Let's head inside and get started." Master Fung thought the introductions were over.
This is where Dojo tried to cuddle up to Shu Yung when she shrunk to his size and dusted herself. She rolled her eyes at him when he had a hard time asking to walk her inside.
8*8
Old wooden chest that was the size of a hatbox and shape of a perfect cube with brass findings and usual lock. Worn from time and a few jungle cats by the look of claw and teeth marks. Was pulled from its hiding place within the rarely used bed chambers of a young man. He wore a Mandarin collar, long sleeve shirt with jade hook buttons and standard pants. Marching Kyahan that extends into tabi socks and zori type sandals. Umber brown hair in a series of braided rings and almost pale skin with olive eyes.
"What Shen Gong Wu we have here," He looked at the item, "Heylin side could see you."
One of the many jungle cats was then gently petted by him for showing him where to find this place. He then pulled the key from one of his sleeves as he slid the lock cover open. He whispered the name of this Shen Gong Wu as the Box of Memories before plunging the key in. He turned to activate the mechanism that unlocked the tightly sealed lid. That popped up revealing contends that had been hidden away for decades from him.
"Old love letters, collections of flowers, book of romantic haikus, jade jewelry, love tailsmen," this young man looked through contends, "Found you."
He pulled a silk pouch that was tied shut with strands of braided hair that made a rough cord. He knew it came from the head of whoever had Shen Gong Wu in this barely used room. Not like he would have time to break the seal when the owner of the room stepped inside.
"I should have none sooner or later she sent you," Voice carried a disinterest toward him, "You've grown."
"Trained everyday of my life," He pocketed the silk pouch, "Listened to her tales about you and this place."
" …. Does … she …" He stopped himself from speaking about her.
He straightened his posture and his jaw clenched with his fists tightened further until his knuckles turned white. Way he went quiet was all the intruder needed when he closed the chest.
"I'll be taking this with me," Person was after the pouch, "I'll be taking my leave."
"Your element?" He was asked.
"Shoku Warrior of Beasts and my name Chen," Person bowed to him passing, "See you next time."
Not one jungle cat chased this Chen out of the cave when Chase found himself unable to utter one word. A word that was on his mind the night before he was tricked by Hannibal Roy Bean. He had come with news that he was going to be a father to Princess Kaila's nephew. One that fueled the anger within him that he never knew he had.
8*8
Who was going to be paired up with who was assigned partner that some disagreed in their own way. Came in the form of Raimundo when he was told Trent was going to be his student. Down he and the others sat while the last meal of the meal of the day was served.
"What do you all know of Chase Young's past?" Kaori asked the Shoku Warriors.
"That he was tricked into joining the Heyin side and has been a tough one to beat at times," Omi stated, "Have you forgotten something."
"You taught them well." Master Fung was congratulated by Kaori.
Blushe fthat coated his cheeks when she spoke to him with such caring eyes had him struggling. She kindly offered to refill his tea cup before she moved onto the next part of her lecture. He accepted as he spilled his first cup when he tried to sip the contents. When she addressed him and even looked his way upon sitting down near him. He became a bumbling mess that all the monks saw from where they sat at the table.
"Is everything ok?" Omi didn't understand Master Fung's behavior.
"I still feel like the naive young monk beside Lady Kaori.
"I like the man you have become." She teased.
That's when Master Fung's tea cup shattered when he gripped too tightly when overcome. Allowed Kaori to repair his tea cup by tapping on each one of the pieces just one. They pulled back together to form an unshattered cup void of tea as the monks were amazed.
"I am the Shoku Warrior of Amends," She placed her hand back into her lap, "That is a rough journey I have been on due to my joint past with Chase. One where I was one stupid girl blinded by my passions for him when I began my path."
"No way!" Kimiko blinked from shock.
"Go on." Raimundo loved this part.
"…" Clay just went wide eyed.
"What?" Omi asked.
"Instead of taking my studies as a monk seriously from those I lived and worked beside in my younger years. My head was in the clouds over a sided crush on my sister's lover and desiring him. I never took their teachings seriously since my head was filled with only him everyday and night," Kaori looked into her untouched tea cup, "I altered my appearance to that of my sister for one night. Shared Chase's bed with stupid and delusional thoughts in my head. I become pregnant with what would become his only child after the announcement of Hannibal Roy Bean's trickery."
"That sounds familiar." Ambrose looked at Raimundo.
"I am not that bad." Raimundo objected.
"Instead of allowing me to join in the obstacle course with everyone," Apikalia spoke up, "You insisted on taking me on a personal tour of the temple."
"I personally liked when you showed off your dance moves," Tent interjected, "I thought Apikalia was the only one who could move."
"You dance?" Raimundo asked, blushing.
"Kahiko is one of my talents, but I always enjoyed my family's barn dances." She moved around her seat.
"Now you are speaking my language," Clay replied to Apikalia, "Hope I get a chance to be your dance partner?"
"I hope to dance with both of you in the future." Apikalia was charmed.
Rest of the evening was everyone getting to know each other until Raimundo wanted to speak privately with Clay. Off to the side they went with eyes on Apikalia the whole time they walked.
"Lady Kaori's story had me thinking." Raimundo was struggling to address this manner.
"You don't want us to fight over a girl?" Clay guessed.
"I'd rather get along with you two instead of be fought over," Apikalia's voice startled them, "Could no help but follow when I saw you two sneak away."
"Don't do that." Raimundo looked from where she sat to where she now sat.
"Someone's quieter than a kitten with soft paws." Clay was impressed.
"Then may I request that you both be my teachers?" She asked kindly to look at the two of them, "My friends do not like these one on one sort of methods of teaching and would rather learn as a group. Yes?"