Disclaimer: I don't own Ninjago! It will always belong to Lego and Cartoon Network! I only own the plot and my OCs so please ask for permission before usage!
Hello people! I'm back! Okay first off, I should've mentioned this during "Freaky Friday", but I forgot and because of my negligence I may have confused some of you. "Freaky Friday" DOES take place within the Elements timeline! Namely during the two month gap after the first fight with the female Serpentine so before the Ninja did their spying mission on the Kunoichi, also other Lost Chapters will be featured during this untold space in time and I'll be sure to inform you all from now on when a Lost Chapter takes place. I promise! Furthermore, "Cause and Effect" takes place right after "Good-bye Sensei Wu" as will the other short stories. Hopefully, this clears everything up if not simply PM me and I'll bring you up to speed. Lastly, the previous one-shot I wrote was a request from a friend, Phoenix-LOL, and has no relation to my own series. Her OC is Brooklynn while mine is Dominique so please don't confuse the two. Check out her story "Destiny Calls" if you wish to know more about her OCs! Oh and today is April 5th in this timeline which means…Cole's B-day is coming up soon! YAY! He'll be turning 20! So you can guess when "Careful Planning" is going to take place! ;) Now on with the first short story featuring Jay and Nya!
Please read and enjoy!
Cause and Effect
(Jay's POV)
"Hey Jay, you okay fratello? You're awfully quiet this morning."
I stop stirring the pancake batter and turn my attention to Cole. He was at the stove beside Zane cooking the main course of this Sunday's big breakfast. After all, just because Sensei Wu is gone doesn't mean we'll stop the tradition. It's our turn this Sunday to cook all the meals.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I reply with a small nod. "I'm just still feeling a little tired that's all. I couldn't sleep well last night." A small sniff escapes me and I lift my hand to rub my right temple where an annoying pressure seems to build and linger.
Ugh…what the hell…?
"Well hopefully you're not dripping snot into the batter over there. I really want some of your pancakes," Kai comments from the far side of the extended kitchen.
"I'm not dripping snot," I retort grumpily and march over to the medicine cabinet near Zane's head to retrieve some Advil Cold & Sinus. I swallow them dry and shut the door with a little more force than necessary.
"Jay, if you are not feeling well then perhaps—"
"I'm fine, Zane, okay?!" I snap and all occupants swivel their heads in my direction in alarm. "Geez, it's not like I have the flu or pneumonia or something. Everybody on this ship has been sick before except for you and Ebony so what's the big deal?!"
"The big deal is that you're distributing germs and some of us are more susceptible than others," Cole informs pointedly while he spreads the sausage patties and bacon strips over the skillet, the snap, crackle, and pop sound the grease makes only adds to my throbbing headache and overall irritability.
"Hell, someone tells a story about having a cold and I get one. Good thing we're getting our shots today, but can Jay get his, Zane? Or will the vaccination cancel out or something?"
An involuntary shudder racks my body at Cole's mention of the "s" word.
Needles…Intravenous injections…never again…
"He can if his illness is mild, however if he is feverish the influenza vaccine will have to be injected at a later date when his temperature has diminished," Zane answers, folding another cheese omelet and sliding it on the serving tray.
"Jay, do you have a fever?" Lloyd asks from his seat at the island. He was slicing a variety of fruits to add a more nutritional balance to the meal. "I heard you sneezing and coughing when you came out your room this morning. Just how sick are you? Maybe you should be quarantined until…whatever you have blows over?"
I let my eyes lower to the fruits that remain on the cutting board in thought.
I don't have a fever, but I should lie regardless to keep from going to the damn pharmacy with everyone else. Also, I got to make sure I sound believable to them otherwise Zane will scan me and I can't afford for that to happen. I hate needles, I just hate them!
"Jay? C'mon bro, tell the truth," Kai beckons and I cut my gaze to his in frustration.
"I had a fever this morning, but I just took some medicine so it'll go down soon and I don't need to be quarantined you little green and black amoeba. You and I are training today plain and simple so I don't want to hear you gripe if you shock yourself again."
Lloyd opens his mouth to counter, but Cole cuts him off.
"Just because your fever will go down soon doesn't mean that it won't spike later moreover it's not wise to take the risk and you end up needing to be hospitalized. We'll be leaving right after breakfast therefore you should rest until we get back and then you'll train Lloyd, okay?"
I pretend to give some serious deliberation to his request and nod my head "reluctantly".
"Fine."
Score…ugh great…just one nostril left to breath out of. This day is looking to be fantastic…
"You may use this side of the stove now, Jay," Zane informs me politely and lifts his tray full of perfect cheese omelets and takes them to the island where Lloyd is. "After you are finished with the blueberry pancakes, breakfast should be ready to serve. Do you need any help finishing, Kai?"
"Nope, all that's left is the miso soup and that won't take long. I'll be done by the time Jay is and then its chow time!"
I return to my station and retrieve my mixing bowl filled with my specialized blueberry pancake batter. I bring it over beside Cole and set a new non-stick skillet on the burner next to his. As I pour the batter in for the first pancake I allow my mind to drift.
It's been a full week now since Sensei Wu's funeral. We've all begun to heal though I think it'll always be difficult to glance at the head of table and not feel sorrow or some sort of melancholy. Lloyd has improved somewhat and a few days ago Ebony finally convinced him to sleep in his own room from now on. He has some sort of solemn maturity-thing going on and I saw him toss a large black trash bag off the ship and into Foxtrot River a little while back, the currents carrying the noir bundle to the mysterious beyond. What got me though, was that I saw a fake snake head sticking out from a tear on the side. From that I could only guess he got rid of all his pranks and tricks. The only thing he said to me as he passed to head back inside was:
"It's about time I grew up and stop wasting time. I'll train hard so those filthy snakes won't know what hit them and after they've all been dealt with…then comes…confronting my dad. I have to do this. I have to get stronger."
I don't know whether or not he's made the right decision. Personally, I don't want the kid to grow up too fast and put his mentality at risk. Although, he's been taught in the Way of the Ninja…and we are what we are…assassins, killers, agents of night and shadow, beings trained specially to take the lives of our enemies, but that doesn't mean we don't have a code of honor. My brothers and I can only teach Lloyd on how to control his powers and what we know is right and wrong. Bottom line is…when everything is said and done the final decision is up to Lloyd himself.
I really don't want anything to happen to him negatively, but if this is how he wants to go about healing the wound in his heart then who am I to say otherwise.
Now if only I could heal the wound within Nya's heart…the wound that I caused…
Just thinking about her makes my heart ache…
I glance at the brilliant blue diamond engagement ring adorning my left hand before flipping the third hotcake over to cook the other side. The headache that had settled near my right temple expands to cover the distance in between my eyes and to my left temple. I stifle a wince and try to concentrate on the cooking flapjack.
What can I do? I've tried everything, but she still…won't allow me to touch her. How many times can a guy apologize? She has to know I mean it…if so then…why…? Why does she still look at me with such sad distrustful eyes? Nya…come on sweetheart. I'm trying my best here. Can't you just tell me what to do or what to say to make everything right between us once more? It's been too long…too long since I've held you in my arms and smelled your hair…too long since I've heard you laugh at one of my jokes, a sound that I could only describe as wind chimes on an autumn breeze…too long since…since I've kissed you with everything I had and have you kiss me back with just as much passion. The form of reciprocation that told me you did feel the same way and that your love for me was unconditional. It's still there…isn't it, Nya? You still want to be my wife, right?
Before I knew it, I had finished my eighteenth blueberry pancake. The batter from the mixing bowl was gone.
I was finished.
"Wow, time flies when you're feeling miserable," I scoff dejectedly and sweep my eyes to the right to find Cole staring right back at me.
I peer at him in confusion.
Just how long have you been staring, mister?
The lights within his green eyes flicker with some unknown emotion before he wordlessly turns away with his tray of meat in his hands.
Huh…? What was that about?
I gather my own tray of pancakes and follow him to the island where the others are waiting.
"Well gentlemen, I think we have really outdone ourselves this time around. Everything looks splendid."
A small satisfied smile curves my lips as I agree wordlessly with Zane and look at everything sitting atop of the island counter in appreciation.
Each tray and dish of food looked like something out of a chef's cookbook even Kai's portion which is truly saying something. He had prepared a traditional Japanese breakfast for us which consisted of steamed rice, miso soup, natto (fermented soy beans), nori (dried seaweed), tamagoyaki (rolled omelets), and broiled fish. I catch a glimpse of his smirking face and can't help but chuckle.
I guess he can cook certain dishes when he puts his mind to it and doesn't rush.
Lloyd had dispersed the combined multiplicity of fruits into nine individual miniature bowls and placed a small jar of honey plus the container of cool whip on his tray.
Good job, Lloyd.
Cole's assortment of meats looked simply mouth-watering. The rows of sausage patties and bacon were cooked to golden perfection which would compliment Zane's cheese omelets to satisfy the pallet.
And everyone can enjoy a short stack of my famous blueberry pancakes! Well…all except Nya since she's allergic to wheat…sigh…
(Two hours later…)
"Oh wow that was delicious," Ayane sighs happily and leans back in her chair, her aura oozing with content and satisfaction.
"Yeah, thanks guys," Sasha comments graciously. "It makes me eager to find out what's on the menu for lunch and dinner."
"I was especially impressed and delighted with your contribution, Kai. I've never had a complete Japanese meal before even though it's half of my origins, so it was a real treat. Do you know any other dishes?" Ebony asks with genuine interest.
I hear Kai answer with something or other, but his voice blurs in along with the others as everyone makes light conversation with one another. I close my eyes and focus on blocking everything around me out in hopes of getting some sort of relief.
My head feels like it's about to explode with this constant throbbing…argh, it's so damn annoying and I feel cold for some reason. I think I'm getting worst…why isn't the medicine working?!
I wasn't able to eat much of anything not even my pancakes. In fact, I almost hurled when I took a bite, but I concealed my displeasure with graceful subtlety so no one noticed though I think Nya gave me a concerned look.
She is seated across from me.
I ate a small bowl of miso soup which thankfully went down smoothly and a few pieces of fruit, but that's it. Everything else…
Damn, I can't even tolerate the smell anymore.
I open my eyes and lift my head when I feel a soft weight settle on my left hand.
Nya…
"Jay, are you alright? You're starting to look pale." She questions softly and I use my other hand to massage my aching temples. The sinus pressure is escalating and I still can't breathe well through my nose.
It takes a minute before I answer, my gaze stilling on our hands where our engagement rings lie snuggled around our ring fingers. They catch the overhead lights and emit a stunning shine.
I manage a smile although I can tell it's crooked when her brow creases even more in worry.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me. Did you enjoy your breakfast?"
What was I thinking? I should've made something for her to eat. Then maybe…ugh, why are things going this way?!
"Yes, I did, but Jay I'm really worried," she persists. "Maybe we should take you to a doctor to find out if what you have is actually just a cold."
"I don't need a doctor, Nya. What I have is just a cold and I'll get over it just like you did, remember?"
"Of course I remember, but what if it's not? Your hand is clammy and hot not to mention you seem to shiver every few minutes."
"Wow Nya, so you're a mechanical engineering genius and a doctor? Didn't know you were so versatile. Ever stop to think that the reason I'm shivering is because you haven't touched me in over two weeks and I'm elated because you are now? You can touch me, but I can't touch you…yeah that seems fair."
"Jay, just stop—"
"No you just stop!" I explode vehemently and roughly cast her hand aside. Her eyes widen in both shock and belligerence, but for once…I don't care.
"This is my body so if anything happens to it I think I'll be the first one to know about it and do what's best for my health! Here I am racking my brain day in and day out trying to figure out a way for you to forgive me, but do you know what I think, Nya? I think you like being mad at me! I think you like having this power over me and enjoy watching me beg and plead and bend over backwards for you! Well guess what your highness…I'm not going to do it anymore! If you don't want to marry me then just say it! Tell me right now!"
The dining room is deathly silent and I could feel all eyes on me. My heart was beating so rapidly that I wouldn't be surprised if it decided to jump out of my chest and make a dash for the exit to get away from its terrifying host. I was sweating profusely either from fever or fear or maybe even both. I knew my expression was harsh as I glared at the woman I loved and her face…was frighteningly guarded. I've never seen such an expression on her face before. I had stupidly fitted a noose around my own neck and Nya would be my executioner.
Either or…I just want my suffering to end.
I am tired of the suspense.
I want an answer.
Nya rises up from her chair slowly, her eyes never leaving mine.
"Why you would even think I enjoy seeing you in pain is beyond me. The hurt that you inflicted with your actions and now your words adds insult to injury. Did you ever stop to think to facilitate maybe I shared your misery, that our spirits were connected? I knew you were sincere in your apologies Jay, but trust is a very fragile concept and I wanted to see how far you would go to earn it back. I was just as miserable as you were if not even more so. Now you sit here in front of me and I can't recognize you anymore. Perhaps it's just your illness making you behave this way or…maybe it's not…If it's okay with you I'll give you my answer when I get back."
She then leaves my field of vision and I simply stare at the space she once occupied.
That empty space…so symbolic…so accurate...
"JAY, HAVE YOU LOST YOUR FUCKIN' MIND?!"
I could hear Kai shout more obscenities and the abrupt screeching of multiple chairs, but I don't flinch. I don't think I could move if I wanted to.
I knew my life would lose meaning if she left me. I knew the moment I proposed to her on that day in Alto Park. She's my other half, my better other half and I singlehandedly tore my own soul apart.
"Kai, leave him alone. Look at his face…no matter the amount of damage you could inflict upon him physically it would pale in comparison to the torment he feels emotionally."
"I'm determined to prove you wrong, Ebony. Would you guys let go of me?! You expect me to just sit back and let him speak to my sister like that?!"
"Ayane, let's go out to the deck with Nya. I don't think she needs to be alone right now."
"Yeah…you're right, Sasha. Let's go."
"...Hmm, you all should venture to the pharmacy in Twilight on Crow Valley Street. I'll stay here with Jay."
"Twilight? But Ebony, Twilight is way out of our way. We were just going to go to the little town west of here."
"Ebony, I sense you have something planned for Jay. May I inquire on what it is?"
"Nothing much. I just want to talk to him. Otōto, can you do me a favor? Can you go to my shared quarters and retrieve the small black journal titled: Psyche Analysis? It's located on my nightstand, you can't miss it."
"Alright, an—Ebony."
What the—oh no…
"Ebony, don't tell me…there's nothing to analyze here! Just a grumpy asshole who's irritated because he's sick! There's no big mystery that he's going to remain a bachelor now because of his stupidity!"
Hmph…easy for you to say. What if the shoe was on the other foot and Ebony was upset with you, huh? How would you feel if she flat-out ignored you, teased you with touches, and looked at you with wariness? I have a feeling you wouldn't last two days let alone two weeks like I have so whatever, Kai.
"Possibly and possibly not…The detour will be worth it, Cole. Mention my name and be sure to use "Youngblood" not "Garmadon" and you'll receive a discount. If its Jason then the vaccinations will be fifty percent off, if its Brittany then they'll be free since I was her first love and all."
"What?!"
I realize my brothers and I had all exclaimed in astonishment together also I had turned my head to focus on the remaining occupants in the room.
Ebony's gaze was fixed solely on me and I can't help but cringe internally underneath her blatant scrutiny. Kai was being restrained by Cole and Zane however they were gaping at Ebony in a comical fashion…especially Kai.
Lloyd soon reenters the dining room carrying a thin black book and hands it to his sister.
"Thank you, otōto" Ebony says tenderly, but Lloyd simply nods and turns his attention to the gaping trio.
"What's wrong with you guys?"
"Whoa whoa, back up Ebony," Kai begins dubiously and shakes off Zane and Cole's now limp hold. "Another girl was in love with you?! Damn it, where was I at?!"
"Kai…"
"Ugh sorry, Lloyd."
"Huh…?"
"Did you ever kiss?"
"What the hell, Cole?!"
"What?! It's a legitimate question, I was just asking."
"Kai…"
"Geez sorry, Lloyd!"
"Umm…?"
"It's simply arithmetic. Six people will need to get the vaccination and typical pharmacies charge ten dollars or more for each injection. By going to Twilight you all will be saving money and if you wish to know the story between Brittany and I that gives you even more incentive to go, does it not?"
"I rather hear it from you, right now, Shirayukihime."
"I don't recall the tale clearly so I don't want to give you false details."
"Yeah right, why do I have a feeling you're lying to me?"
"Leave us be and go."
"Eb—"
"For the sake of starting an unnecessary argument let's just go to Twilight, okay?" Cole interrupts and places his hands on Kai's shoulders to steer him towards the door.
"But I wanna—"
"Come on Lloyd. Zane, you comin' or are you just going to stand there?"
"Yes, but I don't quite understand. A female having romantic feelings towards another female? It does not compute."
"Really? You never heard of a lesbian before or even met one? I'm surprised since you're over half a century old."
"I have heard only rumors and myths that such numinous beings subsisted so I thought of the concept as only that. Now that I know the actuality of their existence I am intrigued. Yes, let us be on our way. This will undoubtedly be a learning experience."
"Ebony, we leave Jay in your capable hands. Hopefully you'll be able to clear some of the mucus from his head. We'll be back later."
Kai was still trying to get Ebony's attention even as he and Cole exited with Zane and Lloyd following close behind. Soon, there was only silence and Ebony and I were alone. During the entire exchange earlier not once did her eyes stray from my direction and it was disconcerting to say the least.
She calmly walks forward and sits in Ayane's seat. I'm thankful she didn't take Nya's, but I'm still dreading whatever she's about to say.
"Jay, my first question to you is…why do you talk?"
Oh my god. I am so not in the mood for this.
Okay and that concludes chapter 1. Now I know some of you are probably thinking: "Oh Jay would never blow up at Nya like that! He loves her!" Yeah well I'm about to give you guys the lowdown on how I came up with this scenario. Ordinarily, when people get sick their mood changes, 7/10 they become grumpy, irritable, quiet, despondent and so forth, though it's also not uncommon for people to express optimism when they become unwell. It all depends on who you are and your personality. For Jay, I won't lie that I had to think since I wanted him to remain original and in character. Anyone who knows Jay can tell he gets annoyed or frustrated rather easily, but can crack a joke to relieve pressure or stress in a critical situation which makes him a must have in the Ninja team. Now please keep in mind that this is only my opinion, but to me that particular trait is not exactly an attribute and can be deduced as being more of a double-edged sword. This behavior is easily detectable in the show for those who would like proof. A good example are the episodes "Home" and "The Day of the Great Devourer" or was it the one before that…I know it has to be one or other so check them both out if you want. Anyway, the books and comics primarily focus on Jay's humor and innovativeness although they do lightly touch bases on his easily excitable demeanor and aggravation which of course brings me to my point. Now, combining all that and considering the position he's in right now with Nya plus the fact that he's not feeling well leads me to believe he would not be a happy sick person. Obviously, every character is flawed in some way so yeah…that's my hypothesis. Okay, so the next chapter will be in Nya's POV the moment she left the dining room and headed outside. We won't revisit Jay until chapter 3 and his conversation with Ebony. I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far and I look forward to reading your feedback!
Please read and review!
P.S.
Zythaline, there's absolutely no reason for you to fell jealous of me. After all, I wouldn't be much of an author if I didn't have followers and readers to support me. I'm just happy I can write fanfiction for a fandom I love and cherish. Thank you for your kind words, friend.