5

                                    

                                          

As the sunlight spilled through the window, I stirred awake, feeling the warmth of the morning wrap around me like a comforting blanket. A mischievous grin spread across my face as an idea sparked in my mind. I glanced around at my sleeping friends, their peaceful expressions tempting me to play a little prank.
Quietly, I tiptoed out of bed, careful not to wake anyone. Just as I was about to sneak out of the room, Kai's voice cut through the morning silence, making me freeze in my tracks.
"Where are you going?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep yet laced with curiosity.
I turned back to see him sprawled on the bed, hair tousled but eyes wide open and alert. I let out a soft sigh, knowing I couldn't pull off my plan entirely without someone knowing.
"Just planning a little prank," I admitted, a sparkle of mischief dancing in my eyes. "I thought I'd sneak out and surprise you guys later."
Kai raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting from groggy confusion to playful intrigue. "You know they're just going to worry, right?"
I shrugged, a smirk tugging at my lips. "That's part of the fun! I'm not telling you where I'm going, though."
"Why not?" he presses, a teasing smile creeping onto his face.
"Because then you might try to follow me or convince me to stay," I say, crossing my arms defiantly.
"Deal," he chuckled, settling back into his pillow. "Just don't take too long; I need my partner in crime back. And be careful."
With that, I slipped out of the room, my heart racing with excitement. I made my way down the familiar halls of the monastery, relishing the feeling of freedom and mischief that came with my little escape.
I made my way to the secret path I hadn't taken in years, feeling the pull of familiarity with every step. I knew the ninja probably assumed I was heading to my samurai cave or maybe even exploring the city again. But no — I had something else in mind, something personal, something that no one else knew about.
My destination? The Temple of Fire.
As I made my way back to the Temple of Fire, a familiar sense of calm settled over me. No one else knew about this place. Not Kai, not the others — this was mine. I built it during the Tournament of Elements, back when they were off rescuing Zane. It had been a secret refuge, a space just for me.
I slipped through the hidden entrance, the path well-worn by now. I had been coming here frequently ever since I built it. The lair lay deep beneath the temple, where the heat of the lava met the coolness of water, a fusion of fire and water that mirrored me and Kai. It felt like the perfect representation of us — two elements that shouldn't mix, yet somehow, they did.
As I descended, the air changed, growing warmer and more humid, the sound of bubbling lava mixing with the gentle flow of water. The sight of it made me pause for a moment, watching how effortlessly the two forces moved together. The connection felt like an anchor, especially after everything I'd been through. This was the one place where I could clear my head, free from the noise and expectations of everyone else.
I stepped inside the small chamber, the soft glow of the lava illuminating the walls. The place was simple — it didn't need to be anything grand. It was just enough space for me to sit, think, and breathe. I sat down on the ledge, looking out at the point where lava and water met in a swirl of red and blue, an impossible balance.
I had come here so many times, especially when things felt overwhelming. It wasn't that I didn't trust the others or feel connected to them — I did, of course I did. But this place was mine. It was something I'd built for myself, away from the team, away from everything. Here, I didn't have to be the Water Ninja or Kai's sister. I could just be Nya.