Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, or any of the Bleach characters used in this fic. They all belong to Tite Kubo: the genius behind the captivating manga that started it all. I only own any of my original characters that I choose to include, as well as any of my own original plot ideas.

Smashing Melons

Prompt: Talent can only take you so far...

"You're still doing it wrong! Hold your hands like this!"

Brown eyes narrowed at the little figure who barked orders, hands stretched out in front of him, left hand closed around his right wrist. He'd been forcing her to practice for hours when she had studying to do. That exam wasn't going to pass itself in the morning. She slumped down on the ground, sticking her tongue out as he scowled at her. A cloud of dust puffed up around his ankles as he tapped his foot, giving her a look that said, "Do it again."

Sweat was poised on her brow as she stood, throwing her hands out as she took aim at her target, shouting the spell in hopes that it would work. A bright flash of red light caused her eyes to widen, and the watermelon that had been sitting on the stump had been reduced to nothing more than a big red mess. A wide smile spread across her face as she pumped her fists, ignoring her friend as he placed another melon on a stump that sat further away.

"Don't get cocky!" he ordered, throwing a dirt clod at her head. "You did it once, but it means nothing if you can't do it again."

It was Momo's turn to scowl, brushing the dust out of her hair. For someone who wasn't even enrolled at the Soul Reaper Academy, Toshiro sure was bossy. She turned and made another face at him, grabbing a wad of crushed melon and hurling it at him. Her target's white hair was immediately dripping with the flesh of the fruit, seeds sticking to his forehead. Momo covered her mouth, laughing hard as he began shouting at her about goofing around. Eyes widened as a cold sensation ran down her back, causing her to dance wildly in an attempt to get the melon out of her shirt.

"You stupid bed-wetter!" he barked, standing over her as she slumped to the ground. "Quit screwing around! If you don't learn to hit your target, how are you gonna pass! Do you wanna be stuck here forever?"

She opened her mouth to speak as he turned, hands positioned as he shouted, firing off a red ball of light at the melon. It exploded, much like hers had, but with far more force than she had been able to conjure. He was years behind her in age, but his studies and abilities exceeded her own, even though he wasn't yet enrolled at the Academy.

"It's not all about talent," Toshiro said, helping her out of the dirt. "You gotta be strong, Momo. You can't just quit because you get can't get something right, or because you get lucky. If you don't practice, you'll always be a bed-wetter."

Momo smiled, tempted to throw another piece of melon at him as he headed indoors. Her friend was young, but there was an air about him that said he'd be great someday.