“Someone looks happy,” noticed Emma’s mom, “I’m sure a movie couldn’t make you that happy. What did you watch?”

            Emma still couldn’t stop smiling, “The Fault in Our Stars.”

            “Was it really that good? Maybe I should watch it sometime,” joked her mother

            “Well it was,” she answered, “But, you know. I had fun.”

            “Well that’s good to hear. Another bit of good news, you passed your exams with flying colors!”

            “The results already came in?” asked Emma, surprised.

            “Yes,” answered her dad, who had just walked in, “You got all A’s and your best exams were physical training, which you got 96% on, and learning about the enemy, which you got 100% on.

            “You must know the enemy really well,” he teased.

            You have no idea, thought Emma. Outside she just laughed and said, “I’m going to sleep. I ate way too much popcorn.” She skipped happily up the stairs to her bedroom, when a thought occurred to her. If Jake was flirting with her, didn’t that mean he liked her, too? If so, why did they have to fight at all? Couldn’t the Warriors and Ninjas make peace? She pushed the thought away and tried to delve in the euphoria that had filled her mind, but no matter how hard she tried, that feeling just didn’t come back.

            The next day was Emma’s birthday. Since she had already gone to a movie the day before, she decided to just relax. Her mom gave her six brand new ninja suits, each camouflaging to a certain place. There was the jungle, desert, city, arena, dark alley, and water. Her dad gave her a Warrior detector. That would come in handy during the war, or even just around the city. She never knew when she was going to be attacked. Plus, there was Jake…

            She decided to take a walk around the city, alone this time. Contemplating on taking the Warrior detector, she eventually chose not to, because if she saw Jake or something that would be weird. Briefly going outside to check the weather, she grabbed her coat because of the cold. Then she called out to her mom that she was leaving and stepped out the door.

            Emma had forgotten how much she enjoyed fresh morning dew and cold air. She sighed as she walked down the bustling street. It was unusually quiet, but she was pretty sure nothing was wrong. Suddenly, she regretted not bringing the detector. What if she got attacked? By now, Emma knew her luck was terrible.

            Immediately after that thought, Emma heard a rustling noise behind her. She turned around to find herself face to face with a group of Warriors. She contemplated running backwards, but turned around only to see more Warriors. She was surrounded!

            “Surprise, Happy Birthday Emma!” called a Warrior with an evil smile on his face, “Time for the presents!” He thrust out his fist and…

            Swiftly, her ninja senses kicked in and she quickly blocked the punch with so much force, she threw her attacker back. She pulled out her dagger and slashed at one behind her, sending him clutching his cheek in pain. Emma threw a kick at the last one in front of her and cut at two behind her. In a moment of desperation, she scanned the group to see if anyone was Jake, sighing in relief when she realized it was not. While Emma was distracted, the final Warrior standing behind her kicked her hard in the back, sending her tumbling down. She rolled over to face the ninja. Her quick thinking saved her as she swiped her leg into his, sending him falling to the ground. Not taking any chances, she grabbed her coat and dashed home.

            Emma stumbled into her doorway, panting and red-faced, her back hunched over. Her dad rushed over and grabbed her arm, leading her to the nearest couch.

            “What happened?” he asked

            “I-” she panted, “I got attacked by some Warriors.”

            He got a worried look on his face, “Oh no. I knew this would happen. You’ve got to be more careful. Why didn’t you take the Warrior detector?”

            Emma shrugged, trying to come up with a good reason. “I thought it would alert me to them.”

            “Emma, it vibrates in your pocket so that only you can feel it!” he cried exasperated, “Please try to be more careful from now on.”

            Emma nodded and slowly got up. “I think I’m going to sleep for a while. I’m exhausted.”

            As she walked up the stairs, she thought she heard her dad softly whisper, “Good job beating them.”