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In the middle of a park.
The barely four hours of sleep he’d gotten the night before didn’t help things, but he was the one who’d decided to come straight to Maui after leaving the other side of the globe. As much as he’d tried to convince himself to go home, this was where he was always going to end up.
Josiah stopped in front of him and jutted a hand in the girl’s direction. “Can you please tell thiskidthat there’s no way Aang would beat Naruto in a fight?”
The girl scraped dark, sweaty bangs off her forehead. “Who are you calling a kid? I’m only three days younger than you.”
“You were born in a whole different year.”
“Because ofyourbirthday, not mine.”
Joel waved his hands. “Back up, back up. Now, what’s the debate?”
Josiah’s lips parted.
The girl stepped in front of him. “Aang could beat Naruto in a fight.”
“No, he could not!” Josiah yelled.
“The only thing Naruto knows how to do is that stupid Rasengan.”
“He can do way more than that, and he’s got the Nine-Tails sealed inside him. The Nine-Tails is the most powerful demon of all the tailed beasts, which makes Naruto the most powerful Jinchuriki.”
“If he didn’t have that demon, he probably couldn’t even learn genjutsu.”
Josiah slapped his hand against his forehead. “Think about it. Hehadto be powerful to have the Nine-Tails sealed inside him and not dieas just a baby.”
“Oh, my god.” The girl rolled her eyes and dragged her fingers down one cheek, turning half of her face into a character fromThe Corpse Bride. “His dad was the Hokage, so he knewhowto seal the demon inside Naruto so Naruto wouldn’t die. Aang, on the other hand, mastered all four,” she stuck four fingers in Josiah’s face, “elements at twelve. The youngest Avatar to ever do that.”
Josiah swatted her hand away. “Strong but stupid. If he was so strong, then why the hell did he get frozen in an iceberg?”
Joel grabbed Josiah’s arm and pulled him where he could see him better. “First of all, Siah, watch your language,” he said. “Second, can’t you two just agree that they’re both powerful, so it doesn’t matter who’s stronger? They were both destined or prophesied to save the world.”
At least, he hoped that was the case. He had no clue who any of these characters were, but it was safe to assume they had or would have a hand in saving a city, country, or the entire universe.
“So they wouldn’t fight each other,” he continued. “They would find a way to make peace.”
Josiah and the girl stared at him like he was the dumbest person on the planet. Then they stormed off, mumbling about how “old people” didn’t know anything and that they should try the maze activity next.
Joel leaned forward, his elbows on his thighs and his fingers making tight circles at each temple. “I think…my head…is splitting in two. What the hell did they even just ask me?”
A man took a seat next to him. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. It wasn’t an easy question. They get into debates like that every time they’re both here. Give it a minute. Another argument’s coming.”
“Did I, at least, handle that one well?”
“Not at all.” The man’s eyes followed both children around the maze. “Honestly, right now, Josiah’s her only friend.”
“Is it because of her leg?”
“Mm-hmm. Losing it put a dent in her confidence, and I think because kids don’t understand, they avoid her. Either that or they coddle her.”
“But not Josiah.”
The man grunted out a laugh. “Not Josiah, and that’s what she needs, I think. To be seen as capable. To be argued with a little.”
“Maybe they’re fated,” Joel said.
“Why do you say that?”
