The Shifters: Katrina

Dejected was one way to describe me the next morning. Disgruntled was another.

Unlike most mornings, I woke up late. Classes had already started by the time my disheveled self had risen from the realm of slumber. Still not the type to obey every rule, I saw the time and immediately relaxed back into bed. If I was going to be late, I wasn't going to bother at all. Not today, at least.

So that's how I ended up rolling out of bed at noon and stumbling into the shower. My head was pounding, and I swore I heard a whisper as I shampooed my hair, but the sound was soon gone and didn't repeat itself.

I'm going crazy.

Once I was somewhat refreshed, I went about my morning -- afternoon really -- routine and slipped into clothing, eventually. Sunlight burned at my eyes as I left the dorm, key tucked into my pocket.

What I didn't expect was Kami stomping toward me.

"What the hell are you doing?" She snapped, hand wrapping around my wrist. "You've got school, idiot. It's Wednesday!"

"I don't feel like going," I protested, pulling my wrist away from her.

She looked at me like I'd gone insane. "Does it look like I care? Katrina, it's important for you to--"

"It's important for me to be okay!" I snarled, cutting off her words without meaning to. "I know you guys don't trust me to be responsible, and I know I don't really make an effort to seem responsible. So I get why you guys need to know that I'm learning and that I won't help a danger to society, but fu--"

"Katrina, what the hell are you talking--"

"I'm talking about not being able to see my family!"

We stared at each other in shock and anger. My hands were shaking, my mind still running in loops after my little crisis last night.

"You dragged me here, and I know that it's for my safety and theirs. But I haven't seen them at all," I continued. "All I've been doing is learning, training, and getting more confused. So what if I have a tree as a signal of power? It's just a tree! I'm still human, and I'm not used to this. Not like the rest of you.

"I don't want to go today."

With that, I brushed past her, certain that I said the right things, and the wrong ones.

It didn't matter, though.

I was done.

"Katrina."

Guilt forced me to stop. A small voice in my head was reminding me that Kami was on my side, even if it didn't feel like it.

Her sigh piqued my curiosity, and I turned my head to look at her.

"The adults of the compound are prepping for an event. Maybe Coraline will let you off school if you come with me to talk to her, as long as you promise to still attend training with your master."

The corner of my lips quirked upward. "Deal."

She rolled her eyes before falling in step beside me. It was the first time I'd taken the stairs going downward, but I didn't mind it as Kami shook her head at me. "You're predictable, Katrina. And hey--"

She grinned at me. "Maybe we can find a way to visit your hometown."

My eyes lit up. "Actually?"

The python shifter nodded, and I felt myself let out a holler of excitement. A reckless wave came over me and I tugged on Kami's arm. She raised an eyebrow at me as I pulled her over to the banister.

"Katrina, you know you're not supposed to do this, right?"

"Who's going to stop me?" I grinned, hopping up. I patted the spot beside me, willing her to take the chance.

Kami muttered under her breath before pushing herself up, glaring at me as I cheered.

Then, we were off.

"Now behave yourself otherwise we'll both be in trouble," Kami hissed in my ear as we walked up to Coraline's office. The compound was filled with noise as the shifters prepped for something I still didn't know about. Bright coloured streamers and balloons were taped everywhere, and one of the clearings made for duels had makeshift stands around it. Booths were being set up as well, and it looked like one giant festival for shapeshifters. Bears that could turn into people helped carry loads of decorations, birds flew back and forth to get a good view of things, and people themselves admired the setup.

What is all this?

Kami grinned at me, taking my wrist as we walked into Coraline's office. The cheetah shifter was relaxed in her oversized chair, her markings darker than before. The air stirred as we entered, and I guessed that she had made her own detection system using it.

"Which one of you is going to explain why that young lady isn't it school?" Coraline asked, her voice flat and face expressionless.

"We were hoping Katrina could help with the festival," Kami answered, straightening up to full height. "She seems to--"

"I didn't want to go to school today. I'm looking for a useful alternative."

The room was quiet as Coraline considered our proposal. I had a feeling she knew that Kami was about to lie, and her face had softened when I interrupted.

"I think the festival will be good for her," Coraline eventually said, her words directed at Kami. "But she is your responsibility."

Kami nodded her head in a way that reminded me of bowing. The leader of Iluita shook her head with a wry smile before waving us away. I caught her grin as she turned back to her chair, and my own smile appeared. My steps remained in time with Kami's as we nearly skipped out of the building, my excitement building.

No school, instead I get to work in a festival!

The python shifter noticed my smile and ruffled my hair, causing me to groan. She laughed as I did my best to fix it, pointing to the field that was being set up for God knows what.

"That," she chirped, "is the dueling arena. The festival going on is actually the celebration of our race. Shifters from other compounds will be joining us in a few days to celebrate, and there will be duels."

"Between animal forms?" I wondered, eyes glued to the ring.

"And elements. Two categories for the fights," Kami corrected me. She then motioned to several boxes next to some of the shops. "There's also dancing, a bonfire, special performers that use their elements to amaze others, good food, and everything else.

"So you're going to be my assistant in setting up and watching over all this stuff," Kami added. My eyes grew wide as I scanned the compound streets, seeing how busy it actually was.

"But."

Kami's voice pulled me from my amazement.

"You can't piss off the others, Katrina," she warned me. "These people from the other compounds -- you don't know them. And they may be easly offended. Also, I don't want you dueling."

The first part, I nodded at. Her last order, on the other hand, made me gasp.

"Why not?!" I demanded, following her to the dueling arena. She began to help other shifters move construction supplies over to the next stands that they were building, and I followed suit.

"No one knows what you're capable of. You could hurt someone. Plus, you don't have a form," she rambled, hauling over several boards. "You'd have to fight in an elemental duel, and you haven't even trained your water that much."

She has a point, I thought, my shoulders slumping forward as I dropped the planks next to the in-progress stands. Shifters used their elements to speed up the process, but I noticed some of them seemed to enjoy the physical labour more.

"Hey."

Kami's hand found its way onto my shoulder, and she held my disappointed gaze.

"The festival isn't always at Iluita, but it does happen annually. Next year you can participate and visit another compound.

"So don't be too upset, okay?"

I flashed her a smile, and her face softened before we went back to work.

Internally, however, I was already hatching a plan.

Sorry, Kami.

But I'm not one to listen, and it's about time I had a real fight.