Christmas with the Ninjas

It's Day 3 guys! We're halfway through the story! I have to admit, this was my favorite chapter to write because no matter what everyone says about HIS birthday, I can NEVER get rid of this headcanon of mine! I hope you all enjoy this chapter as much as I did writing it! Read on!

Chapter 3: A Very Special Birthday

Arbouria hasn't had this much snow since the 'Year of Chaos' when it was struck by blizzards.

However, it wasn't so bad.

The townspeople were awed by the winter weather and most of the children were out having snowball fights and building snowmen.

As much as she adored flowers, Heather appreciated the pure beauty of winter. The kunoichi of nature held out her hand to catch the tiny snowflakes dancing down from the sky. Every single snowflake had its unique shape so they always reminded her of a certain ex-robot…

'Zane…'

Like the snowflakes even he can create, the ninja of ice was truly like no other and it wasn't just because he was a robot. He was very sweet and selfless, always doing whatever he can to help anyone in need, even now in this era of peace. He wasn't one for violent video games or flirting with girls unlike his brothers before meeting Heather. He always did things at his own pace and even if it got him in trouble a few times, he was accepted for who he was, no matter what.

It always felt nice sharing a special occasion with each other but there was another reason why Christmas was so special for them.

Believe it or not, Zane's birthday was on Christmas.

He was actually born on Christmas day back in his first life and when his father rebuilt him as a robot, he waited until Christmas to activate him for the first time. Heather thought it was neat to have a birthday on a holiday but some thought otherwise. The ninjas only expressed pity for the ex-nindroid over his birthday to the point Jay actually said that his birthdays must suck. Ever since then, he's been deathly afraid of Venus fly traps.

But now that she thought about it, Christmas must be bittersweet to Zane for other reasons.

Because of what happened to his wife when Zane was born, Heather believed that this normally festive time of year may have been hard on the late Dr. Julien. The poor man lost his wife when both of them should've celebrated an even more joyous day welcoming their son.

Before going to the party, Heather wanted to squeeze in some time for Zane's birthday. The ice ninja admitted that there were times he felt neglected since his birthday was easily ignored due to all the hype about Christmas but the English girl was going to make that change.

Heather did whatever she could to make this day all about Zane's birthday before they'll have to go to the party at the monastery.

She really hoped Zane liked what she had in store for him.

Heather still had vivid memories trying to find a birthday cake that wasn't already adorned with blatant Christmas-y decorations. She finally found an individual-sized white chocolate blueberry cheesecake. Luckily, it didn't have 'Merry Christmas' already written on it but she paid extra to make it say 'Happy Birthday' instead.

Next was finding the perfect present for him. She didn't go for just any present. She wanted to make sure this present can express her feelings for him and for it to be something he'll enjoy. It wasn't easy but she managed to find one but it wasn't over. She wanted to find some wrapping or bow that wasn't red and green but all she could find was a thin ice blue ribbon to tie around the plain white box. It wasn't much but Zane was a humble man and hopefully he'll like it unlike last year…

Last year, Lloyd gave Zane a 'combination' present wrapped in red and green and actually said 'Merry Birthmas' to him. What was even worse was that the 'present' was a generic Christmas card that just HAD to remind him that his birthday was on Christmas. If that wasn't bad enough, the ninjas openly said that they actually FORGOT!

The usually polite girl was mortified that the ninjas can't even remember Zane's birthday!

So this year, she was going to make sure the former nindroid won't be left out.

With the cake and present ready, all she had to do was to find her boyfriend.

The English girl wandered through the now snowy Arbouria.

All this snow was probably caused by the white ninja's presence now that he decided to settle down here several months ago. The former nindroid was currently living with Heather and her family until he found enough money from his current job at one of the local bakeries to find his own place.

A shrill caw echoed across the pale sky, grabbing Heather's attention.

"Oh, there you are." Heather greeted the mechanical falcon who was still loyal to Zane, "Do you know where Zane is?"

The falcon nodded and flew off towards the outskirts of the town with the plant wielder in tow, eventually leading her to a frozen lake that was crowded.

Out on the frozen lake everyone's eyes were glued on Zane. The white ninja was figure skating like a pro like a beautiful ice prince. He displayed a marvelous show of intricate jumps and spins on the ice. He could be a professional figure skater if he wanted but that will be his choice.

Once the ice ninja's performance ended and the ovations died down, Zane noticed his lover.

The ever beautiful Zane still hasn't changed a bit with his pale platinum blonde hair sticking up and icy blue eyes that used to glow but the plant wielder still loved them the way they were. As for Heather herself, she changed her look a bit. Her light brown hair was now short at the same length Nya and Aria had back when they were on their quest to save Ninjago but still wore her trademark scarlet headband. But Zane didn't care about what she looked like. Even if they both grow old with age, he'll still love her just as much as he did throughout their adventures.

"Heather, what brings you here?" The white ninja was pleasantly surprised by her visit. He held her hand in his the moment he put his normal shoes back on and caressed her rosy lips with his own cool ones.

"Today's a special day," Heather hinted on why this day was so important to them, "And what could be better than sharing it with you?"

"Being with the other ninjas and kunoichi at the party?" The somewhat oblivious Zane replied.

The kunoichi of nature shook her head but chuckled.

The ex-robot can be… awkward… but she loved him for being himself, no matter what.

"Come on, Zane! I have something for you!"

The English girl took the former nindroid by the arm and led him to her house.

Inside Heather's home, the former nindroid was told to keep his eyes shut as the English girl set up the cake and present before him. Knowing him, the plant wielder was sure he already knew what was going on but still did as he was told. He was always such a polite young man.

"Okay Zane. You can open your eyes now."

Pale crystalline eyes opened and the ice ninja was surprised by the cake and present before him with Heather sitting right across from him.

"Heather…! You did all this for me…?" The former nindroid stared at her in astonishment.

No one has ever done anything like this for his birthday since he lived in the Birchwood Forest with his father before his first passing.

"Yes," The plant wielder smiled with a light blush that almost hid her faint freckles, "Today's an even more special day because it's also your birthday."

"You… remembered my birthday…?"

"Of course! I don't want you to feel left out! That's why I got you this!"

Heather handed over the present to her boyfriend. She still felt a little bad for giving something so plain but Zane was genuinely touched by the gift. He gingerly took the box in his hands and undid the ribbon and opened it. Once he got a peek at the present, he felt his now human heart warm up.

Inside the box was a frame designed to look like a bunch of snowflake flowers surrounding the picture of himself and Heather in each other's arms. The picture was taken on their date up in the Frozen North near the area where Zane found the Shurikens of Ice. He remembered taking Heather there last year on a date to show her the auroras that occur there every winter. Even in the photo, the dazzling lights swirled above them.

"Heather, you didn't have to go through all that just to make me happy. Just spending time with you is all I need."

Zane was undeniably happy that Heather remembered his birthday despite it being Christmas but did she really have to go through so much for his sake?

"I know but Zane, I love you and I don't want you to feel left out on your birthday."

"Although I truly appreciate all this, I don't need cakes and presents to enjoy my birthday. Being with you alone is the only thing I need to make this day feel special."

"Do you really mean that?"

"I will never lie to you, Heather," Zane said with honesty in his smooth velvety voice, "You have been vital to me ever since we confessed our love. However, I also want to say thank you for all you have done for me. I love you…"

"I love you too, Zane."

The two shared a kiss scented with spring roses and wintery mint. Once their lips separated, the couple got to share the cake together and just relish each other's company. But there was one last thing Heather had to do…

"Oh, and before I forget… Happy Birthday."

YES!

I've always had this headcanon that Zane's birthday is on Christmas! I don't care what everyone else says! Now that we're halfway through the story, it's time to see which of the two remaining couples will be next!

Stay tuned & review!