Author's Note: Thanks for the updates guys! They really mean a lot :) Unfortunately this is the last chapter, but like I said this is a short story. It's quite a bit longer than the last chapter, so I hope it makes up for the last chapter's shortness a little :) Also, I don't own Ninjago, and in this case just the plot. With that aside enjoy the final chapter!
Chapter 3
Nya's POV
When we got there, the sun was just beginning to set, casting gentle rays of colored light, but there was enough sunlight to see by. I had snapped several photos of the temple and the church and the courtyards where the dancing and games would be held. Then we headed down to the beach. There were sort of fences that were decorated with lanterns that created walkways down to the shore. While I was taking pictures, the boys got in a "sand fight". Jay kicked some sand on Kai and soon all the boys were flinging sand – dry and wet – at each other. Finally, Cole had the sense to break up the brawl before the guys got themselves messed up even more. After the guys dusted themselves off, Kai kept complaining that Lloyd had thrown sand in his hair. I just had to snap a picture of his face.
After everyone was more or less "back-to-normal", we left the beach to check out the food. While the guys decided what they wanted to eat later, Kai and I left the rest of the gang to get our two lanterns. We found them on the side of the church, with the candles already burning. I took our parents' lantern and Kai took the one with our grandparents' names on it. They were decorated with Japanese words and a painted lotus blossom. We joined the procession next to our friends and other people carrying lanterns. We traveled in a crude line around the courtyard until we came to the beach where we followed the paths designated by the glowing lanterns. When we reached the part of the shore where the waves licked the beach, Kai and I handed our glowing lanterns to the people waiting to take them. They set the lit lanterns on small barges. Then, we stepped back along the shoreline. I snapped photos of the beautiful setting sun. Despite the few clouds, the sky had turned into a rainbow with shades of orange, red, yellow, and hints of maroon. Then from my left, Jay nudged my side; the guides were starting to lead the barges out to the ocean. I handed the camera to Kai who was standing on my right and I reached down to grasp Jay's hand. For a moment, he stiffened, but he relaxed and gave my hand a gentle squeeze, which I returned. Then I heard Lloyd call out, "Look!"
The guides had started placing the lanterns on the water, carefully floating them on the surface of the calm ocean. Cameras and video-recorders started flashing around us so I nudged Kai to follow suit. I let out a contented sigh as I took in the warm glows of the lanterns against the perfect sunset background. Even in the diminishing sunlight I could see the peaceful expressions on Cole's, Jay's, and Zane's faces while Lloyd was smiling with pure boyish joy. When I returned my gaze to the lanterns, I noticed they had started to drift to the right with the tide, like they did every year. As the lanterns floated onward and the guides slowly made their way back to the shore, I craned my neck for a better view. We stayed on the shore well until after the lanterns had floated out of view just enjoying the last bit of the sunset and each other's company. We were all transfixed on the view that the sudden blare of music and beating of the taiko drums startled us all out of that perfect moment. "Come on guys!" Kai exclaimed. "We don't want to miss the first dance and we need to get food too!"
"Yeah! We can't forget about food!" Jay put in beside me.
I giggled and took his arm. "Well let's dance first. Just a note, guys – if you don't get the moves at first, just try to copy someone else's movements. You'll get it in no time." With that, we turned and hurried to the courtyard where the first dance was beginning.
~Several Dances Later~
Kai and I had been doing these dances and easily fell into the rhythm of the music. After three or four dances, it seemed to me like the guys had gotten the hang of it. Cole caught on quickly, being a dancer and all. Zane appeared to be doing fine while Jay did the best he could and seemed to be enjoying himself. Lloyd stumbled along, but seemed a little frustrated with each dance. At the end of the fifth dance, I pulled the guys out of the circle and said, "How about some food?" I was answered with a chorus of 'yeses' and a 'FINALLY!' from Lloyd. The line for food was long so Zane and Cole offered to wait while we checked out the games. We decided to meet on the steps of the temple when they got the food. There was a fishing game and a ring toss and several other carnival games. At the end of the courtyard was the candy stand that sold cotton candy and other sweets. Lloyd eagerly dragged Kai to the stand to wait in line with him. Even from a good distance away, I was sure I could hear my older brother groaning with impatience.
Then I realized it was just me and Jay. I glanced over at me and he gave me a lopsided grin. "Shall we?" he asked nonchalantly.
"We shall," I joked back and we headed towards the bottle toss game.
"Do you want to try?" Jay asked, gesturing to the game.
"Sure. Why not?" I asked. We waited in line together, talking about the night so far and enjoying each other's company. When we got to the front of the line, Jay graciously paid for both of us to play. We each had five small plastic rings we could toss on the bottles to win a prize. We grinned and began to play. Jay went through his really quick and managed to win one prize – a pair of sunglasses. He hung them on the collar of his kimono then moved to stand next to me. I was holding my last ring, thinking about where to aim it and how I should throw it when Jay shyly coughed from beside me. He sidled up from my left and took my right hand in his and wrapped his left arm lightly around my waist. I allowed myself to lean into him, relaxing into his comforting hold. Together, we held the ring, out fingers interlaced. Then, Jay flicked his wrist and as we released the ring together, it went sailing.
*Clink*
The ring landed on the neck of a bottle and settled there with a little spin. We won! I was so excited I threw my arms around Jay's neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. He looked stunned but was wearing a huge smile on his face. The one of the vendors running the game handed me a paper bag. Jay and I stepped away from the games and made our way to a secluded area. There, I opened the bag which revealed an adorable little keychain. It had a cute little Japanese girl in a kimono decorated with flowers. Her hands were folded and a smile graced her plastic face. Jay peered down at the little keychain I was holding and remarked, "She looks just like you." I chuckled.
"Thank you for winning her for me," I said, wrapping my arms around his waist and giving him a hug.
"My pleasure." He hugged me back and gave a small bow making me laugh. "Let's go find Cole and Zane," he said, taking my arm. "I'm starving!"
We found the rest of the gang chatting and pigging out on the delicious food. Lloyd seemed to have extra energy, probably from the cotton candy. Jay immediately plunged into the group and started slurping up noodles and munching teriyaki beef. Kai was enjoying his favorite cone sushi while Cole was snacking on kettle corn, and Zane was trying the chow fun. They looked so intense that I just had to get a picture. I snapped the first picture of them all bent over their food, making me laugh. Then, they simultaneously looked up with looks of absolute confusion on their faces. Of course, I got that moment captured.
We spent the rest of the evening walking around, playing more games, and laughing. And at the end of the night, a kind elderly man offered to take our picture. We all stood in front of the Obon Festival sign with broad smiles. Jay's arm was around my waist, I was surrounded by my family, and I couldn't have been happier. Then, from next to me Kai whispered, "I can't wait 'till next year!" His comment made my smile brighter. I couldn't either.
Well that's it. Short and sweet :) Please review! Thanks for following this story and please check out Finding Love Again if you like my work :)