Well, guys... school has started back. I will update these as much as my busy schedule will allow, but we need to talk about something... I really need y'all to leave a review when you read. I most certainly appreciate favorites and follows, that helps as well. But the reviews are like finding gold in the river. As of right now, I don't know if y'all are generally enjoying this story or the romantic Jay and Nya story I posted. I don't know if I am doing right and it makes it more difficult to be motivated to write more. So, y'all would be doing me a HUGE favor by reviewing my stories when you read them! I value your opinion!

Anyway, ON WITH IT!

The Green Ninja's World.

Chapter II. Secrets in Plain Sight

"This chicken is the best!"

Cole expressed his approval of the buffalo wings that James's mother had grilled. The others voiced their enjoyment as well.

"Thank you for preparing this for us," said Zane, polite as ever.

"You're welcome, just be glad Morro and James got that lighter fluid or we wouldn't be having them."

"That reminds me," said Misako. "Morro, you've been acting a little strange ever since you got back from the store yesterday. Is everything alright?"

Morro snapped out of what seemed to be some sort of trance.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?"

The group laughed as Misako repeated herself.

"I said you've been acting off since you got back from the store yesterday. Are you okay, Morro?"

"Oh, yes. I'm fine. I've just been thinking about being here and getting ready for... you know..."

"I see... well, as long as you're alright, dear."

"I'm fine, thank you."

No more was said regarding Morro's apparently unusual behavior.

After the heavenly dinner, the table was quickly devoid of life and the house was quiet. The ninja had dispersed to their rooms or outside. But one remained seated at the table, believing he was alone.

Morro. He was lost in his thoughts. Morro was confused by himself. Whenever he thought of the events of the previous day, when he met Zee and felt that disturbance, he felt it all over again. Morro had since been trying to decide whether the disturbance was from the Elements, or within himself. He let out a heavy sigh and stood up.

"Thinking too hard?"

Morro whirled around to see James in the dining room doorway. He wondered if he should come clean and possibly get help with this predicament or keep it shut up inside and continue to deal with it alone.

"Everyone else is outside. Come on, let's talk in the living room," said James, beckoning Morro to the couch.

They sat down and the Green Ninja addressed his brother.

"Morro, I know you're not the most open person, but you've been a bit distant today."

"Oh, I don't mean to be like that... I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. I'm worried about you because you're usually very open and relaxed with me and you've been really shut off since yesterday afternoon."

Morro could now see that he was worrying his family by keeping his feelings inside, so he decided to come clean.

"Okay... there is something that's been on my mind."

"Maybe you want to talk about it?"

Morro closed his eyes and said, "That's the problem... I don't know what I'm even supposed to say."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know how to describe what's bothering me."

"Hmm... is it that disturbance you felt in Walmart?"

"How did you know?"

"Morro, I wanted to let you figure this out yourself, but it's really bothering you so... do you want to know what's going on?"

"Please."

"Morro, when Elemental Masters sense a disturbance in nature, the reason for it is revealed in their mind and they don't worry like this about it."

"But you said you felt something too."

"I think the feeling you were experiencing was so strong I sensed it from where I was standing," replied James after a short laugh.

"So, you're saying... that feeling wasn't from something to do with the elements?"

"No, it came from here, Morro."

James pointed to Morro's chest.

"My heart?"

"You said the feeling hit me after meeting Zee, and it went away when we were gone from her."

"Right..." Morro knew where this was going, and he couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe he was capable of feeling this feeling.

"Did you feel it again? A little later? Maybe when we were checking out?"

"James... I know now... I have... romantic feelings for her."

Morro looked at James in disbelief, and James looked at Morro in encouragement.

"The others will laugh at me."

"No, Morro-"

"James. Come on, they all know I don't 'feel' like they do. This is the first time I've felt anything this strong... I can't deny that I have feelings for her, but... I've only met her once."

"Sometimes, people just click. Sometimes, you have to believe in love at first sight."

"Love... but how?"

"How what?"

"How can I get her to like me? I'm a 'ghost.' Your disguise can't fool her forever, that's if she gets to know me and actually likes me. And besides that, I've done such terrible things and so many of those terrible things and eventually I would have to tell her and-"

"Whoa, Morro, calm down. Just calm down, okay?"

"Okay, sorry. Now... what do I do?"

"Well, in the 'here and now,' most couples and couple-hopefuls do a lot of texting."

"But I don't have a phone."

"I know. I'd buy you one but my last name ain't Rockefeller."

"Uh, what?"

"Never mind. But, I can relay messages from you to her on my phone. I have her number."

"I would appreciate that."

"And Morro, you can't tell her I told you this. I kind of suspected you liked her so I texted her and asked her what she thought of you."

"Really?" Now Morro was nervous. "What did she say?"

"Well, she said and I quote, 'he seems like a really nice guy and honestly I think he's really cute.' So you've got that on your side!"

"She thinks I'm cute?!" Morro smiled wider a smile than he had smiled for many years. "Well I think she's cute... don't tell her I said that."

Morro's face turned bright red as he said it. It took a lot for a ghost to blush.

"Um... am I... blushing?"

"You really got it bad, buddy..."

"Yeah... What do I do? What did you do to get Diana to like you?"

"Actually when I started having strong feelings for her I found out she'd had a crush on me for a while... but look, you need to get to know her. And you have to let her get to know you."

"So, do you think it's too soon to ask her to go on a date with me?"

"No! I think that would be a great way to break the ice."

(A/N: A fun fact, Shakespeare coined the phrase, "break the ice.")

"Okay," replied Morro, still smiling.

"You seem happy."

"She called me cute."

James laughed and put a hand on Morro's shoulder.

"Morro, brother. I hope you two will make each other very happy."

"Is this why you 'had a feeling' I would particularly enjoy this Realm? Did you know I would, dare I say it... fall in love here?"

"I knew you would surprise yourself and the others, but not me. I know you have a great heart and I know that great love comes from it. I know that you are led by your heart. And I know that your heart will lead you to places of unimaginable happiness if you will trust it. And Morro, you picked a great girl to fall for. She is a very good and loyal person. She has been my friend for many years and I know she will treat you right."

"Thanks... I just hope I can do the same."

"You can. And you will. I have faith in you."

The two stood up from the couch and James continued.

"Now, would you like me to ask Zee if she would like to go on a date with you this weekend? You can take her to dinner, at Peach Park in Clanton. It's quite beautiful this time of year."

"I would greatly appreciate that, thank you James."

"No problem."

Back in his room, the Green Ninja sent a message to Zee. The message read:

Hey, Morro would like to take you out to eat at Peach Park this weekend. He doesn't have a phone so I'm relaying the message, lol. I think he really likes you. And I know you got a little crush on him. ;).

A reply came a few minutes later. Zee replied:

Tell him I would absolutely love to! It's a date! And yeahhh, he is reeeeeeaally cute... and he seems so sweet... and his voice is really nice... and I'm gonna stop talking now lol.

Morro's a great guy, Zee. I'm glad you like him.

Yeah, I'm glad we just happened to meet yesterday... funny how you can have a crush on someone from barely meeting them lol.

Lol. Well, I'll let Morro know! He'll be so excited.

Thanks bud I can't wait, I got work ttyl.

Alright Z, be careful.

The text conversation ended and James set off to find Morro, excited to give the news. He found Morro in the kitchen, looking for a snack in the pantry.

"Morro!"

"Hey, did you ask her?"

"Yep."

"Aaannd?"

"My brother," James said with sincerity, placing a hand on Morro's shoulder. "It's a date."

Morro was filled with so much joy that he could have done a quadruple back flip.

"A- a date?!"

"Yes, a date!"

"Oh my goodness, I'm so happy! I could just- just- I... wait. What do people do on dates?"

"Not to worry, Morro. I got you."

Yes, this installment in the series is a love story. There is a reason for that. At the end, you will see why "The Green Ninja's World" has to be a love story, and specifically between [not spoiling it but I think you could guess who is falling in love here. XD]. So sit back and bask in the love. And uh... let me know if I'm doing a good job with these stories. No reviews makes me stress.

Let me know how you're enjoying this. This is another example of me typing on my phone late at night. It will probably be more neatly formatted tomorrow.

I hope y'all are enjoying! Please, leave me reviews! I want to know what people think! Tell me one thing you particularly like about this story or the series. What's your favorite moment/line in the three stories in the series so far? Is Rikayla a good villain/credible threat? Will Cole eat all the leftover wings when no one is watching?

Okay I'm done rambling. Hope y'all enjoyed.

Love y'all, God bless y'all. Good night!