The Shifters: Katrina

Days passed as Iluita prepared for the festival. My friends, other than being mad that I skipped school, were excited for me to be working with Kami. Speaking of whom, she and I had begun to see eye to eye, and her strictness had turned into protectiveness. We made jokes and laughed plenty when we worked together, and Coraline didn't seem to regret her decision.

After another day of school, which was still surprising me on a daily basis and still kept me interested, Sonya and I were laughing outside the school while I waited for Shae. She came out with Max and Sam, Ryu's apprentices.

"Hey, Kat!" Shae called. I'd grown used to several people shortening my name.

I waved goodbye to Sonya before grabbing my bag and strolling over to Shae.

"Hey, what are these guys doing?" I wondered, waving at my partner before glancing at the two guys.

Max glared at me. "All four of us are training today, which is actually pretty normal. It didn't happen because someone didn't have a grasp on water."

Familiar rage boiled up, but was easy to snuff out. "Don't get your panties in a knot," I teased. Shae snorted and the two of us headed to the usual extra gym, the water masters already inside. They were trading water back and forth, throwing it at each other. We watched for a few seconds before the boys shouldered me aside, not even bothering Shae. I glared at their backs, throwing my bag down next to the wall and stretching out with her.

"They aren't usually this annoying..," Shae murmured, mostly to herself. I ignored it, trying to clear my head.

Calm. Focused. Collected.

After a few exhales, I straightened up and walked toward the masters. I was about to talk to Willa when something nagged at the back of my mind. Ever since I started using water, I'd grown a sense of when it was near me. Blue glow erupted onto my skin as I whirled, lifting my hands and stopping the water Max threw my way mid air.

"Don't bother them. Whatever you want isn't worth it."

I growled, bristling at his insult. "I'm allowed to speak with my master, moron. We're here to train."

Max smirked. "You know what? Train with me. Spar, loser."

Shae looked horrified as Max and I stared each other down, Sam standing at the side with his arms crossed. The boys glared at me, staring me down like I was rubbish.

Want to know something, Max? I thought, water gathering in my palms. Back in Greenhill, I destroyed every girl's face if they dared to badmouth me. No hesitation.

My mind went clear, and I found the water coming naturally as I charged at Max. I knew damn well he was still better with our element, but took my chance with hand to hand combat. Shae gasped as I tackled him, knocking him to the ground as the water left my palm. It gathered around his neck, not squeezing, but pooled onto the ground as well. I then froze it, and the ice kept him pinned to the ground. I then pulled my fist back, ready to strike him quickly and get it over with, when I was blasted to the side. It was by water, but not my own or Max's. Sam looked livid, water crawling up to his shoulders as Max used his own element to slowly break from my trap. By now, I could spot the masters glancing our way.

Two against one, really? Unfair.

My concentration was failing, the rage swirling in my chest messing with my stony focus. I shook my head furiously, only to get another blast. My back slammed into the wall and I snarled, hair flying wild around me as I ducked under an icy spike. Damn, are they trying to kill me?! I wondered, ducking under another spike. My feet went into action, steps silent as I ran toward Sam. He was clearly better than Max and the person I had to get rid of first. We collided, a shield of ice hastily putting itself between us.

My leg flew toward him, Sam's eyes widening as my foot connected with his side. He then shot water into my eyes, and we continued to tussle in close quarters. Max, who seemed to be somewhat impulsive, decided to shoot me in the back, knocking me into Sam. The two of us fell, chests slamming into each other. The fight instantly stopped as the masters yelled, Willa stomping over to us.

"I swear if that boy has a concussion--"

"I'm fine, Master Willa," Sam groaned, pushing himself up. Realizing that I was still on top of him, I scrambled away, already on my feet. Using a trick Shae had taught me, I turned the water stuck to my skin into vapour, efficiently drying myself off.

"Good fight," I breathed, chest heaving. Sam glanced my way. "Sorry about the fall."

He shrugged, pointing at Max. "It was that idiot's fault, moron."

My face fell into a scowl, but I couldn't help but want to laugh. Us apprentices dusted off, heading to our masters for a quick round of training.

And surprisingly, my mood had improved.

"So yeah, they're still assholes."

The others laughed as I finished my story about training. We were in Ben's dorm while his roommate was out on business for Coraline. The six of us had been talking about our days, and laughing like there was no tomorrow.

"You want to know what I'm excited about?" Gene butted in, leaning forward. "The duels at the shifter festival. I'm entering the elements category!"

"Dude, that's awesome!"

"Good luck, bro!"

"You'll win for sure!"

He grinned at our praise, then glanced my way.

"Hey, Katrina, why don't you join? You like fights, don't you?"

I nodded, a grim smile on my face. "Love them. But Kami forbid me, because of my sucky control."

Sonya shrugged. "You'll get another chance, Katrina. Don't worry about it," she reassured me, her sweet face forming a smile. The white haired girl's calming presence made me smile genuinely, and the whole ordeal was swept under the rug.

Until it was time to leave.