***(Kai's POV)***

I'm so relieved when the sun finally sets. It's sweltering hot outside, and Lloyd and I have both been shouting insults at each other ever since we started training. All. Day.

I put up my gear and trudge into the monastery. Even though I'm literally going the pace of a snail, I still beat Lloyd to the shower.

I smirk. The fire ninja beating the green ninja. Who would've thought?

I grab a towel and try to pull off my shirt, but my muscles barely have the strength to move. I am going to be so sore tomorrow. Good thing the blacksmith's shop is closed on weekends.

I finally get my shirt over my head. Now, I just have to –

"Kai!" Nya yells, rushing in.

"What the – get out!" I scream. Goodness, you think people would knock occasionally! "You know this is the boys' bathroom! You literally have to walk through the bunkroom to get here!"

"But Kai, you're never going to believe what I found out!"

"That graduating with honors from an Ivy League university is far preferable to makeup and exceeding your texting plan?"

"No, Kai! I have powers, too!" she squeals.

*MUSIC CUEEEEEE*

"Wait. You – that's not possible!"

"It is," she insists. "Master Wu told me that our mom was the master of water, and that I inherited her element! I didn't even think he knew our parents!"

"Oh, come on! Does everybody have an elemental power now?" I exclaim. Then, I turn to her, intrigued. "Wait. You mentioned our parents? But - they never told us." I totally forgot about my conversation with Skylor this morning. I wonder how soon I can get her to read my mind...

"Yes, Kai. He knew them before they got married and had us." She throws her arms around me. "I get to be a ninja, just like you!"

My whole world stops spinning. Nya – a ninja?

"I – I need to go," I mutter, scrubbing a hand over my eyes. I'm seeing spots. This is not good.

"Kai, what's wrong?" she asks, right beside me. "You need to take a shower. You smell awful."

"I have to go," I whisper, stumbling out.

"Kai, put on your shirt! I don't care that you're ripped." She tugs the clothing out of my hands. "Bend down," she commands.

Not processing anything well, I do as she says. She pulls the shirt over my head, then helps me get my arms through.

"And sit down, for crying out loud!" she orders.

"No. Nya – I need to go."

"Go do what?" she questions. "You're just going to leave me here?"

"Go...hang out with the guys or something. I'll pick you up later." I lurch upward and all but run out the door.

"You're not making any sense!" Nya calls after me.

I ignore her.

Then, I regret that decision when I realize I still need her help.

"Nya?" I ask, trudging back in.

She plants her hands on her hips. "What now?"

"Can I borrow your phone for, like, two seconds?"

She rolls her eyes. "I haven't been doing anything you wouldn't approve of on there."

I quirk a brow. "I didn't think that, but now I'm suspicious. Anyway, that's not what I'm looking for."

She sighs and hands over her device.

I scroll through her contacts until I find Skylor, then plug her number into my own phone.

"Thanks, Nya," I shout, jogging out the door once more.

After I'm safely settled in my front seat, I pull up her number and type out a frantic message.

Kai: Need 2 chat w/u. Where can we meet

Her response comes moments later.

Skylor: If you're the perv who sat in the front row of Geometry last semester, my answer is nowhere

I smirk.

Kai: It's your favorite charming and irresistible boytoy

Skylor: ...

Skylor: I'd rather it be the perv

Kai: Haha.

I ponder typing my next words, then do it anyway.

Kai: Plz. I need u

My foot taps impatiently. I feel nerves swirling around in my stomach.

Huh. It's been a while since that's happened.

Finally, I see a message pop in on my phone.

Skylor: Park a block away from my house and walk the rest of the way on foot. Come from behind and hit the left window with a rock.

I laugh and decide to continue this conversation over call. I dial her number and listen as the call waits to go through.

Skylor picks up. "At least now I know for sure you're not the Geometry kid."

"So, we're going to talk?" I ask impatiently.

"Sure. Just park a block – "

"I know. I read the text. I just think that's a stupid idea, sneaking me up the trellis to your room."

"Afraid my father will find you?"

"Hey, I don't want to get caught doing anything even slightly inappropriate around you."

"Here's a great solution: Leave your slightly inappropriate conduct out of this."

I sigh. "You're no fun."

"Look, I don't have time to argue about this. My dad's coming down the hall. Are you doing this or not?"

"I'll be there in ten minutes."

***(Skylor's POV)***

My dad pokes his head in my door. "Skylor?"

I roll off my bed, slipping my phone under my pillow. "Hey, Dad. What's up?"

"I heard voices in here," he shrugs.

"Yeah, I was just getting into an argument with the lead singer of the Backstreet Boys." I jerk my head in the direction of my Nick Carter poster. "He just doesn't understand why I'm angry he's so much older than me." I cluck my tongue. "Guy doesn't know what he's missing."

"Oh, all right." My dad comes to sit on the edge of my bed. "I, um, wanted to tell you I'm sorry I've been busy all day."

I frown. That's never bothered him before. "Dad, is something wrong?" I ask.

"Wrong? What could possibly be wrong, except that I'm not giving my daughter the relationship she deserves?" He sighs dramatically. "And after what happened with that boy last night – "

"Nothing happened, Dad." Believe me, the memory of Kai pulling away just before our lips touched still haunts me.

He shrugs. "Maybe you're telling the truth. It's just – I can't help but think it's my fault that you're running to these other people for affection."

I wrap an arm around him and recline my head on his shoulder. "It's okay, Dad. I get that you're busy with the noodle company." I mean, I 'get it' about as much as I 'get' advanced logarithmic equations, but whatever.

"Skylor..." He waits for me to look at him. "I have a little project I'm working on, and I think you might like to help."

The hint of cunning in his eyes sets me on guard. "What kind of project?" I try to make my voice sound as happy as possible.

"You remember only a little about your mother, but I thought...you're a sweet girl, and you might want to do something in her honor."

I remember more than my dad believes. Since I have the power of mind, I can see my dad's memories of her whenever he recalls them.

My dad clears his throat. "Skylor, you know you inherited your powers from your mom."

I nod. "Yeah." There isn't much else to say.

"And you have the power to share the elements of others. So, I was thinking, what if you continued that sharing...and helped me get powers?"

I blink. "What? How?"

"Well, I have – "

A rock bangs against the window, and I cringe. Kai's here.

My dad spins around. "What was that?" he growls, suspicious.

"I have no idea," I shrug. "Let me go check." I walk over to my window and see Kai standing underneath, a smug smile on his face.

That may be his proud, disagreeable, "all-girls-are-infatuated-with-me" face, but I can't help but think it's just a little cute.

"What's out there?" my dad demands, coming up behind me.

"Uh, nothing," I smile, flipping around. I try to hide Kai's position. "It must've been some misguided bat. He probably lost his ability to" – what did Nya call it? – "echolocate, and now he's legally blind, but in bat form." Did that make any sense?

My dad laughs. "Oh, Skylor, you always did have a big imagination." He looks down at his watch and swears. "I have a conference call. We'll talk later, though."

I yawn. "In the morning, maybe. It's been a long day."

He raises a brow. "How can being grounded feel like a long day?"

Oh, yeah. I forgot that I had to sneak to get out today. "Um, well, it was a really bad argument with Nick Carter." My head bobs. "It was so heated that his agent had to get involved."

My dad shrugs. "Stranger things have happened. Have a good night." He plants a kiss on my forehead and walks out, closing the door behind him.

I rush back to the window and throw it open.

"Why'd you keep me waiting so long?" Kai complains. "There are mosquitoes out here."

I scoff. "You are such a sissy. I was covering for you." I look around for something to use to pull him up, eventually spotting my closet. "Give me a sec."

"You're leaving again?"

I don't answer, instead grabbing a few sheets and tying the ends together. After a moment, I throw the makeshift rope down to Kai.

"Eww," he groans. "There are flowers on these."

I plant a hand on my hip. "What are we in, third grade? Now, do you want to talk to me or not?"

He sighs. "You've got those anchored down inside?"

"Golly, Kai, I would never have thought to do that. But now that you mention it..." I untie the sheet from where I had it secured. "Try now."

Kai launches himself at the sheet rope. However, since it's no longer attached to the foot of my bed, he falls straight to the ground.

I try really hard not to laugh too loud.

Kai rubs his head. "Seriously?" he cries.

"Lower your voice. I'll fix it," I chuckle. I go tie it back down.

"You're not lying to me this time?" he says skeptically.

"Nope. See for yourself."

He carefully begins climbing the rope. This time, though, it stays.

When he finally makes it to the top, he lets out a moan. "I've been training all day. My arms do not have the power for this."

"I totally would have created an ice ladder for you, but that seemed too conspicuous." I pull the rope back into my room. "Now, what did you want to tell me about?"

"Well..." He sighs, motioning toward my bed. "Mind if I sit?"

"Of course not." I plop down in my desk chair.

He, on the other hand, collapses on my bed, causing my aesthetic stuffed animals to go flying. "Not only did I figure out today that there are other elementals, but..." He swallows. "My sister is one of them."

"Wait. Nya has powers?" I gasp.

"Yes. Apparently, my mom was the master of water, and since I took after my dad..." He waves his hand in the air.

"But...she's nearly sixteen, and her powers haven't shown themselves yet. It's more likely she's just a carrier."

Kai lays his arm across his forehead. "Yeah, well, Sensei Wu says she's an elemental, and he's a pretty wise guy."

"Well, that's great. You don't have to worry about her defending herself anymore."

"Are you kidding me? I'm worried sick!" He tugs on his perfectly styled hair. "She's supposed to become a ninja! Do you know how much danger that will put her in?"

"Kai, calm down," I sigh, coming to sit beside him. "I'd be more worried about her emotionally than physically." My fists clench. "Lloyd is not good best friend material for her. He's probably verbally abusive all the time, and she just accepts it and – "

Kai gives me an odd look. "Skylor? Are you still dwelling on that?"

She frowns. "Well, of course. I mean, that could be a really hurtful relationship. And I'm sure she'd let him push her into – "

His hand comes to rest on my cheek, stopping my rant. Goosebumps prickle on my skin.

Oh, he's magic.

"How old were you?" Kai murmurs.

"How old – what?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Skylor. Lloyd reminds you of someone."

I sigh and hang my head, knowing he's found me out.

"Skylor?" he whispers, using his finger to tilt my chin toward him.

I can't meet his gaze. It's too humiliating.

"Talk to me," he growls. "Skylor, whoever he is, I will rip – "

"I already did, Kai," I huff, standing up. My body immediately wants me to sit down next to him. He's like a magnet.

I swallow. "And I was sixteen."

His hand takes mine. "Did he hurt you?" his eyes plead for an answer.

"Yes, but I'm stronger because of it." I pull away from Kai's touch and stride over to my open window, poking my head out. "And I will never, ever let Nya go through what I did."

***All right, guys! Here we go! I'll try for a longer chapter tomorrow :) That took a twist I was not expecting!***