A/N: Hello! Don't kill me over Kai's little dilemma. Please. Also, Nya adopted the kitten that Kai saved at his own risk. Um. Yeah. Onto the story!
Disclaimer: I own Nothing! Except for any OC name drops that might happen…and Koko!
Chapter One: Zane is still out there…
I was walking down the street with Nya, when suddenly she disappeared and I noticed a blinding light headed straight for me. Panicking, I scrambled trying to get out of the way. Nothing worked. It was getting closer…and closer. I frantically looked around to see anything that might help me…tears slipped out as I called out the one name I always did. "Zane!" Just then a loud yowl sliced into my dream, waking me up. Heart thudding, I stumbled in the dark, blindly reaching for the kitten I had saved all those months ago. Fingers grasping the fluff ball, I scooped her up, hugging the worriedly mewling kitten close to me. "I'm fine. I'm alright Roadkill. No need to worry."
Nya's voice suddenly came from my left, the general direction of my bedroom door. "Her name isn't Roadkill. It's Blaze."
I tilted my head sideways mock thoughtfully as I scratched her behind the ears. "Which makes no sense whatsoever. She has grey and white fur. Why did you name her that?" I smiled to myself, already knowing her answer.
"I thought I was going to lose you like we did Zane. Are you alright? It sounded like you were having the nightmare again." Her voice had moved closer, I could pick up the sound of the light switch being flicked on.
Not that I cared either way if the light was on. It didn't matter anyway for me. Not since the accident. "Yeah…I'm fine now. The newest ninja won't let me deal with the nightmares alone." To emphasize my point, I lifted up the mewling kitten, drawing a soft laugh from Nya.
"Okay then Master of Cat Ninjas, it is eight o'clock in the morning. What do you want to wear today? Anything in particular?" Nya patted my shoulder has she walked over to my closet.
I sighed as I placed our newest family member down on my bed. "Do I have to get dress? I'm not planning on going anywhere."
"Which is plain crazy! You need to get out of the apartment Kai! Even Dr. Smith recommends it." Nya paused as she ruffled through my shirts. "Don't make me call her again. We still can call Sensei and tell him what happened."
"No!" I flung my blanket off, ignoring the startled yowl that escaped Nya's pet kitten as I scrambled out of my bed. Immediately I crashed into my nightstand. Growling, I plopped down stubbornly, arms folded in a pout.
Nya sighed as she walked towards me, dropping a clean outfit into my lap. "Get dress. I've already made breakfast and am running late for work. At least try and see if you can't at least train like this." Her footsteps then went outside the room, my door quietly closing behind her.
Scooping my clothes up, I dropped them on my bed, frustration flaring inside of me. "Ninjago doesn't need a blind ninja. I'm better off just staying in here."
…
I had to go out. Of all days to run out of cat food, it had to be today when Nya is doing a double-shift. Scowling, I hugged Blaze close to my chest, walking down the street with my head down, listening intently to the noises around me to know where I was headed. I stayed as far back from the road as possible, a new fear to add to my list of fears. At least I don't notice it when I am in a small space anymore. Shaking my head, I walked into the pet store that sold the cat food that Nya preferred. I flinched as my eardrums were blasted from all sides as various pets made noise, allowing everyone to know that they were there. Blaze nuzzled me as if sensing my distress. I sighed as I decided that Nya taking the cat in while I was in the hospitable was not a bad thing at all. Moving quickly, I mentally went over the path I had memorized when Nya had first brought me here so as to be able to buy cat food without her help.
I decided I must have reached my destination when I crashed into the shelving. I don't care what Nya says. I don't need a Seeing Eye dog! Grimacing, I took a step back, rubbing Blaze behind her ears. "Either your mind was elsewhere, or you're blind. Can I help you?" An amused male voice asked form behind me.
"Wow…aren't you bright. My sister's cat is out of food. She prefers this store's own brand over the big name brands." I turned to face the employee, forgetting that I hadn't bothered grabbing my sunglasses and cap to keep fans from recognizing me.
"Whoa! You're Kai Smith, the red ninja! Wait. Your sister is Nya Smith, also known as Samurai X… I didn't know she had a cat." He sounded generally interested at that, and he certainly didn't sound like he had noticed my face. That was interesting. Unless he was afraid of pointing out the horrid scars along my hairline out. I knew they were still visible because I had asked Nya.
"Yea…well I didn't know about it either until I came home one day. Um, you wouldn't mind handing me the right bag?" I gestured vaguely in the direction of the shelves of cat food. Of course, I could be pointing the wrong way and not know that.
"Sure thing! Here you go. And may I say I am such a big fan of yours! What you and your teammates did for Ninjago is amazing!" I quickly walked away, not wanting to listen to praise about things we had done in the past. I couldn't save Ninjago anymore, why listen to praise directed at me, when it should be directed at Zane instead? He gave Ninjago everything he had. I gave a cat my eyesight. Shaking my head, I paid for the food and left the store.
Sighing with relief over the immediate silence that eased my extra-sensitive ear drums, I walked home, hugging the side of the streets farthest from the road once again. I wasn't going to conquer this fear anytime soon.
…
I kicked our front door shut as I dropped the bag of cat food onto the floor. Without bothering to look in the general direction of the couch, I walked past, casually reaching out and flicking whichever one of my brothers that was still alive and had broken into the apartment on the arm. A yelp escaped the startled fully trained ninja as he jumped at the sudden contact. Smirking, I walked into the kitchen and opened the cupboard to the cups. "What brings you here Kid? I doubt that you're like that fan in the store that would probably die of shock if I had offered him my autograph."
The couch creaked loudly as Lloyd shifted his weight. "How did you know I was here? The lights were off and you didn't turn them on." Confusion edged his voice, as he struggled to understand that I had heard him breathing.
I calmly picked a cup up, quickly filling it with water. "I've been training cats to take our places as the ninja." I bluntly stated in a calm, matter-of-fact voice.
"Ok… does that mean the cat you're carrying around is one of your students? And does uncle know?" Wow. Here is was thinking that he was bright enough to tell when I was joking.
Shaking my head, I sat Blaze down on top of something. I think it was the coffee table… "I was joking. Nya adopted this little gal a few months ago."
"Oh." I frowned as I realized that his voice was much closer now, and I hadn't heard his footsteps. I knew that we trained to be sneaky, but that sneaky? I didn't like it at all. I couldn't keep track of his position like that. "What's its name?"
"Nya says her name is Blaze. I much prefer Roadkill and call her Roadkill instead of Blaze. She answers to both." I responded as I carefully made my way to the light switch, figuring I might as well be nice to the kid and turn the lights on.
Flicking the lights on, I turned to face the kid, sipping at my glass of water. I immediately regretted it when Lloyd gasped loudly. "Kai! What happened to your head!?"
I flinched, wishing he wasn't so loud right then. "Things have happened since we were last together, Lloyd."
"Look, I'm trying to get the team back together. If you're interested meet me at Chen's Noodle House tonight at six. 'Kay?" Lloyd sounded farther away, as if he were leaving.
"I'll think about it. But it might be better if you just find yourself a new red ninja. I can't fight anymore." I felt sorrow surge through me at the thought that I couldn't fight anymore at all.
"Kai…you're being ridiculous. Come meet up with me if you change your mind." With that the door closed, signaling that he had left the apartment.
Groaning, I fell onto the couch, feeling the soft cushions hold me up. "Roadkill…what am I gonna do? I can't fight anymore. I just can't."
….
I knew this was a bad idea the minute I decided to go. Nya didn't know where I was at since she was still at work. Shaking my head, I walked over to the table where I could pick up the sounds of four people sitting. Familiar people at that. There was Jay tapping his fingers on the table top, while Cole was humming some obscure song. Lloyd was also there, shifting uneasily, as if he was afraid that I wouldn't show up. Truthfully, I wasn't planning to show up; it was pointless to do that when I can't see anymore. Reaching over, I pushed Jay farther into the booth before sliding in myself.
"Finally! Someone won't let us eat until you showed up." Cole's voice whined from right across from me.
I quirked my eyebrow upwards at that announcement. "I told you that I can't come back. I'm only here because I miss doing this kind of thing with you."
Lloyd made a small growl at the back of his throat, quiet enough that I am sure I was the only heard it. "Kai. You can come back. You're not Zane." Lloyd sucked in a deep breath; I imagine he was trying to calm himself down. "Please? We need the whole team back. Not just three of us. All four of us, out there saving Ninjago. Come on. Jay and Cole are up to it."
I folded my arms. "Good. They haven't been through what I've been through the last few months. Look, my new mission in life is to stay out of sight. So far, it's easy. Only Nya and Roadkill have to put up with my…" I broke off as I heard a noise that wasn't right. Oh no. Thugs. Snapping to attention, I grabbed Jay and dragged him over the top of me, and to the other side just as the door banged open and the idiotic leader declared that this was a robbery. Geez. Could he not see the three battle ready ninja in the room?
Standing up, I listened as my brothers fought and subdued the thugs swiftly. Lloyd spoke up again, annoyance flashing through his voice. "Kai…don't you miss saving lives at all? I know that you haven't done that since Zane died."
Angrily I spun around, my fingers curling into tight fists. "No. I saved one small life since then, and I still have to live with the consequences. As in I can't come ba…guys! They're escaping!" I spun around alarmed as I realized that the heavy footsteps of the thugs were retreating through the backdoor. Breaking at a sprint, I somehow managed to give chase without crashing into anything.
Bursting into the back alleyway, I froze upon realizing that there was no sound back here beyond what one would expect in an alleyway. "Great. They're gone."
"Hold on Kai. What's that?" Cole grabbed me as I tried to go back inside.
Jay finally spoke up, excitement filling his voice. "Sweet! Fortune cookies!" A minute later, I felt one of the said cookies being pressed into my hand.
Curling my fingers around it, I cracked it open and pulled out the piece of paper inside. "Cole…you're not supposed to eat the paper!" I quirked my eyebrows up upon hearing Lloyd yell at the strongest one of us.
"Oh. I didn't realize there was a piece of paper in there." Cole spoke up from where he was standing next to me, on the right by the sounds, and smell of things. Note to self, Cole needs a toothbrush.
Lloyd spoke up again as he read his fortune. Only it wasn't a fortune. It was some kind of invitation to some kind of Tournament of the Elements, oh and it said that Zane was still alive and the only way we will ever see him again was if we came and win the Tournament. Then Jay's told us to leave our weapons behind, while after much begging, Lloyd read mine to learn that the papers were set to self destruct. I flinched as three small explosions erupted from our hands, making my ears hurt. Cole burped when the fortunes self destructed.
"We have to save Zane." I blurted out without thinking. I can't compete in this tournament thing!
"Well then. About we all meet up at the docks tonight like the notes told us to. Oh, and Kai? Welcome back to the team." Lloyd confirmed our plans for the next who-know-how-long.
…
I was listening to Garmadon argue with Clouse, some guy that worked for Master Chen and was sent to collect everyone that was competing, which was a lot by the sounds of things, when there was a sudden loud splash.
"Looks like there's room now." Garmadon's voice was closer now, most likely onboard the ferry.
I slapped myself in the head, before turning to face where I presumed Lloyd was standing. "Kid, your dad just threw someone overboard to make room for himself."
"Well, I do have questions for him." Lloyd responded right in front of my face. Oh good. I was facing him and not someone else.
"Are you all crazy!?" Garmadon's voice came up from right behind me.
"No. Yes. Maybe. Lloyd?" Jay babbled from my right side.
"Dad…we need explanations now." Lloyd sounded far more stern than usual, and I could just imagine him folding his arms in a huff right about now.
"Very well then…"
….
I already knew everything that Garmadon told us. The First Spinjitzu master had protectors similar to us and Lloyd, only far more elements. Then he said something that startled me somewhat. "However, even though each of you are descendants of an elemental master…there has never been a master of fire before Kai."
"What!?" We all exclaimed in unison. Ok, I have to admit, going months without that happening was really not something I ever want to go through again. I actually missed it.
"It's true. Kai is the first ever master of fire." Garmadon's voice sent chills down my spine; he spoke with that much authority. I had to bit my tongue to prevent myself from telling them that Father could control fire, as did his father before him.
Instead, I grew distracted by the sounds of distress coming from elsewhere on the ship. Walking over to where it was coming from, I found myself very quickly getting into a fistfight with a guy that felt as if he had metal for hands. A feminine voice cried out telling me to stop. I would have gladly done so; I wasn't sure where the guy was standing after all, except that he was punching me.
Suddenly, Clouse's snobby voice erupted from right above me. "Enough! Safe your energy for the Tournament. And you. I am quite disappointed in you. I would have thought a ninja would win at a fist fight." His footsteps receded away, leaving me to feel as if my cheeks were on fire from the disappointment he radiated.
"Thanks." I tilted my head at in the direction of the feminine voice from earlier.
"Um, you're welcome. My name's Kai. What's yours?" I felt weird not knowing her name…or face for that matter, but there was nothing I can do about that.
"Skylor. I hope I get to see you around." She then left, her hand brushing my arm. I shivered, wondering exactly what I was getting myself into.
Oh yeah. I was going to go to a tournament just to make a fool of myself and claim it is all for Zane. Wonderful, Nya is gonna kill me when she finds out.
A/N: Done! Again, please don't kill me for Kai's little trial. I hope you all enjoy this!
Review!
SkyTalon
