Cause and Effect

Ten days until Halloween already?! Boy, the holidays are approaching fast, aren't they? I'm sorry about not replying to the reviews for chapter 3 everyone. I've been working 12 to 14 hour shifts at the hospital and just didn't have the time. As always, I do appreciate the time you all take to read and review. It really helps me out to know what my readers are thinking about my work. I'll leave a better A/N at the bottom of this chapter.

Please read and enjoy!

(Jay's POV)

I can feel her eyes on me, burrowing holes through my skull, trying to figure out the reason for my explosion at Nya earlier.

For once, I don't feel like talking. I'll just ignore her and her ridiculous question.

I need some more orange juice…

I scan the dining table, careful to avoid her piercing gaze until I spot the pitcher of the soothing orange liquid…

Right next to Ebony's elbow…

...I'll be fine with just water…

I reach for my glass and take a long savory sip, steadfast in my uncooperativeness to Ebony's psychological mumbo-jumbo. I would try to make a run for it, but A) my leg is asleep, B) in my weakened state I'm easily catchable, and C) even if I did make it to my room and lock the door she'd easily bypass it…like she has in the past.

So, I'm stuck here…damn it.

With the glass of water still pressed to my lips, I chance a glance at the Kunoichi of Darkness. Her attention wasn't on me rather on the small journal she had Lloyd retrieve before he and the others left for Twilight. She was already writing and for some reason that annoys me.

I put down my glass with a scowl. "What are you writing? I haven't said anything."

"Your reluctance to participate and standoffish behavior are signs," she answers promptly while keeping her eyes on her notebook, "nothing conclusive of course, but we'll get there."

Before I can refute, my body racks in a coughing frenzy, each one sends a stinging ripple of agony to my chest and the heavy sputum of phlegm make my continuous hacking wet. I cover my mouth, but Ebony tosses a napkin towards me so I use that instead. When my episode concludes I feel winded and light-headed.

Ebony frowns. "You need to see a doctor."

"I don't need a damn doctor," I gasp hoarsely. "It's not serious."

I remove the napkin and peer at it with disgust as the greenish-yellow mucus I coughed up sticks to it. I scrunch the tissue into a tight ball and toss it into the wastebasket near the swinging doors to the kitchen. It feels like my face is throbbing as if Cole is playing his bongos inside my head.

I'm not a hypochondriac by any means, but ugh…I think I'm dying. Not that I'll ever say that out loud.

"Not like I have much to live for now anyway…" I mumble and rub my face with my hands in a futile attempt to stop the excessive throbbing.

"Do you regret what you said?" Ebony suddenly asks and I peer up to her inquisitive expression. I don't answer. My eyes fall, focused on the fine grains of lacquered mahogany of our elongated dining table.

Do I? Can I honestly regret saying what I said? No…and yes…

"She's dragging out my misery," I finally get out with disdain. "What did she mean when she said: I wanted to see how far you would go to earn it back? What else can I do but apologize? What does she want from me?"

"Nya is a woman, you are a man."

I look at her blankly, my patience wearing thin. I'm not in the mood for cryptic jousting. If she wants me to cooperate then she better provide more understandable answers. She comprehends my petulant silence and sighs.

"Alright, let me explain it to you this way. How important is trust to you? Very, right?"

I nod.

"Well, we women are very particular about our privacy and Nya trusted you to always respect it. You betrayed her trust and now you are reaping the consequences. Jay, you and the other Ninja enjoy your solitude as well, do you not? Of all the times I've passed by your doors not one was open to welcome the rest of us. You all knew what you were doing was wrong, but you did it anyway which was despicable and unconscionable. She most likely wants you to go above and beyond to regain her precious faith."

I narrow my eyes suspiciously. "If that's the case, how come you didn't get upset with Kai? It was his idea in the first place ya know."

"Yes, I know. He told me," she replies and pours herself a glass of orange juice. I swallow with pain and frown as she takes a delicate sip.

"Actually it was by sheer serendipity that I didn't become upset. Under normal circumstances I would've been just as furious as my sisters, but alas I had more pressing matters to deal with at the time. My impending Trial and summon by Lord Diablos as well as Oblivion's constant whisper in my head to concentrate on my training. I simply couldn't afford any fastidious disruptions to my mentality. Kai got off easy."

I snort in derision. "Yeah, Kai gets off easy while the rest of us suffer. The world is fair like that."

Her lips curve into a faint smile. She pours another glass of orange juice and slides it over across the table. I catch the cold glass and take a gulp. It goes down much smoother than the water.

"I'm inclined to disagree with you," she says. "Little by little Ayane and Sasha are releasing their anger and inching towards forgiveness. Especially Ayane…she isn't the sort to hold a grudge for too long. It's just not in her. I believe she's waiting for something, but I don't know what."

"Yeah…fine…" I reply and fold my arms, tilting my head towards the ceiling in contemplation.

I think the medicine is finally beginning to kick in since my pain and congestion isn't as severe as it once was a moment ago. But, just because my symptoms are receding some doesn't make my agony any less staggering. I still had a serious problem on my hands, a problem I have no idea how to solve.

"Ebony…" I say and look at her seriously, "what do you think I should do? That is…if I hadn't already screwed up my chances with Nya."

"Hn, you must really be grasping at straws if you're asking for my advice on love," she states and settles back in her chair. "Every woman is different obviously so all you can really go by is how well you know her and respond accordingly. Some girls like chocolates, flowers, or even jewelry…a peace offering to portray the message…I'm sorry, let's try again. I take a keen fancy to earrings myself." She gives me a pointed glimpse, "So Jay? You know Nya better than I do. What would she like?"

I scratch the back of my head thoughtfully. "Considering she loves the ring I gave her and that fancy bracelet she wears I'd say jewelry, but I don't know. Nya's not all that gung-ho on materialistic stuff." I pause briefly to think harder, fighting pass the mild throbbing of my head.

"She does love all types of cheese even the smelly ones. In fact, her favorite type of pastry is cheese quiche. Maybe I should buy her a wheel of Camembert to help smooth things over."

Ebony nods. "I suppose on the right chain I can see that looking smart."

I laugh lightly at her sarcastic humor, "That's one of the many things I love about Nya. She can be goofy right along with me if the mood strikes her. I remember we would kid around and converse in cheese language like instead of saying "Hello, how are you?" She'd say "Hello, havarti?"

I continue to laugh, picturing Nya's rosy cheeks. A lovely occurrence that only happens when she laughs for a long time…

…She's so damn beautiful…

"And I'd say, "Oh, I'm gouda!" "Hahaha, man I don't remember what would come after that."

Ebony places her fingers on the side of her temple and relaxes her elbow on the table. "Well if I'd been there the sound of a gunshot," she quips in an acerbic yet playful tone.

I laugh outright and she smiles. "Jay, you and Nya belong together. There's no doubt."

I'm about to reply, but soon my voice segues into another coughing fit and an explosion of sharp pain pricks throughout my chest. Another tissue is thrown my way and I use it. Ebony's eye laces with concern when I finish, however I shrug it off and shake my head.

"Jay, let's pile you into bed. You need the rest."

"No, the medicine is working I can feel it. That was probably the last of my episodes so it's fine besides I wanted to ask you something."

I can tell she doesn't agree with me nevertheless she relents though her expression is wary. "To each his own," she sighs. "Alright, what is it?"

I take another drink of orange juice and wipe my mouth before continuing. "This is purely hypothetical, but…what if you did something horrible to Kai? How would you go about seeking forgiveness?"

Ebony scowls and grips her pen tight. "Hypothetical or not, this best not be a deflection attempt."

"No, no I'm serious," I plead while waving my hands and shaking my head, "I think it might help to hear a woman's point of view."

Her frown loses its edge and she taps the head of her pen against her open journal. "Jay, I'm not the best choice of person to inquire about such matters. This is a brand new experience for me I've never known the love between a man and a woman until recently."

"But you have known the love between a woman and a woman, right?" I ask slyly and Ebony sends me an unreadable look. I arc my eyebrows expectantly. "Well? Did you love her back?"

She's silent for another spell more until she answers. "My love for Kai differs from my love for Brittany. Kai stirs a passion in me that I never knew existed and never really cared to find. Including everyone who resides on the Bounty there are only a select few people who have ever touched my heart. Brittany…was a crucial turning point in my life. She made me realize just how dangerous love was. How one can lose all sense of reason just for that one person who means the world to them. After that…I really started to build thick impenetrable walls around my heart. Although, out of the two, Kai has done so much more for me…" another ghost of a smile lights her face, "and in his own persistent and stubborn way he's shown me a new world. He did what he'd said he'd do. He broke down every last one of my walls."

Her smile ebbs and her expression twists into confused apprehension. "Jay, how deep can you love one person…? Is there a limit…? Should there be a limit…?"

I observe her sympathetically. It's obvious she's still having a hard time grasping the concept of love and what it all entails about what you are willing to do, how far you are willing to go for a specific person.

Wow, she really is a newb, but I guess in a way…so am I.

"Hey Eb, first off I think you're thinking far too much into this. Sure it's important, but you can't always think about love. Why do you think metaphorical representations of love are depicted as hearts? Because that's what you're supposed to use. As dopey and nonsensical as it sounds, your heart is the leading instrument played in all impulsive desires and decisions. Now, I'm not sayin' you should give up thinking altogether and live in a non-consequential world full of rainbows, ponies, and the power of friendship just don't be afraid to cut loose every once in a while. You'd be surprised at the effect it has."

I feel a little dizzy even while seated and my fever is getting worse to the point that I can feel the perspiration on my forehead. I thought I was getting better, but now everything is declining…everything.

I cough a few times and take a deep breath to clear some passage in my airways.

Damn mucus…

"For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction…Cause and effect… Bases and ramifications to every given situation…." My attention turns toward the ceiling once more. "That's why I think out of all of us Ninja…Kai has the biggest heart. He'll always be one big, giant, passionately infuriating, impulsive, flame…toss me another tissue would ya?" I request and level my gaze to hers just as she tosses the entire box of tissues at me.

"That was…extraordinarily perceptive information, Jay. Nya was right about there being more to you than meets the eye."

I blow my nose and toss the tissue away. "She said that? Huh…" I pause to think. To really ponder about what I want Nya's and I relationship to be. "I want her…to be the person who knows about every single aspect of my life. But…I haven't shared everything…and I need to. Maybe that's why I'm being punished. I'm being a hypocrite."

"Jay?"

I blink slowly and give my precious student a wry smile. "Months ago, Nya found out one of my biggest secrets, a secret I wasn't ashamed of. I just really thought she should know, but I was nervous about telling her because I was afraid of what she would think of me."

"And how did she respond when she found out?"

My grin broadens and I lift my left hand to show her. "She gave me this."

Ebony's eye widens in recognition. "Ah…I see…" She remembers what happened during that unorthodox Friday. The mayhem, the revelations, the outcomes…all of it sanctioned by the will of the Gods…however, this is no laughing matter to Thor. After all, he once said we belonged together and even in my shocked state I took those words to heart.

"I love Nya," I whisper decisively, "and I can't seem to say it enough."

I appreciate the silence that follows, sighing deeply my mind drifts to my many endearing moments with my one of a kind Chinese princess. Yeah, I'm a big sap when it comes to romance. Found that out when I cried while watching that romance flick with Nya…oh and Zane. Man he was weird! But I digress…I remember how awkward I was during our first year. I could barely complete an entire sentence around her without stuttering and tripping over myself. Not to mention, I would sigh and stare at her dreamily lost in my own little world of a picture-perfect relationship with her. I wanted to impress her so badly that I conjured up fictitious abilities and experiences all so that she could see me as someone above the rest…someone who she would want to be with. But, she didn't want some perfect guy who was good at everything…she just wanted me. I've grown since then and I've matured greatly. I'll protect her no matter what, I'd give my life for her without question and with every single kiss we shared each one was a step forward…no a step upward towards heaven itself. I remember a particular moment when she came to me. It happened recently…after the electric storm fried the Bounty's main computer and I went in to save the day and repaired it. When she suddenly appeared next to me…she was silent. Her voice that day was her hands and eyes. She missed me. She wanted me. My heart was pounding with yearning, but I didn't dare move…not wanting to break the trance she seemed to be in as her hands roamed all over my body. I've never noticed before, yet…around the chocolate irises golden flecks of embers circled. It was after that realization that I remember opening my mouth just as she spun around and fled. I had whispered…forgive me…please.

How high are you willing to go, pup?

Thor…?

Love is a trial in itself. It cannot be conquered or tamed only channeled and fueled. Cast out the last of your shackles and free yourself from the binds of the cowardly speculations. You know what you must do, so buck up and practice what you preach.

I…I will…just…give me a little more time.

How much time do you think you have? I know you will keep your word and tell her everything…no matter if it's inadvertently or not.

What do you mean…?

My mind is quiet. The God of Lightning's thundering tone had vanished.

"Jay, let's take a break."

I come to awareness and lock eyes with Ebony. "Huh?"

"The others will be back shortly so if you're feeling up to it would you care to help me clear off the table and wash the dishes?" She asks while pushing back her chair and rising from Ayane's seat, collecting her glass and plate along the way.

"Yeah…I'm game," I reply albeit distractingly and stand as well. It takes only a few minutes until the table is completely cleared and we're in the kitchen washing the mountain of dishes including the pots and pans used to make our breakfast. Or should I say…I'm washing and Ebony's doing the drying and putting away.

Another comfortable silence settles between us as we clean, the only noise being the sloshing of soapy water and clink of dishes. I'm delighted that my dizziness is gone, but in its place is an aching sensation wracking through my body.

After this I really should head to bed and sleep while I can. But first…

I glance at Ebony from my peripheral, her expression stoic as usual as she dried a plate with a cappuccino-colored towel. I snicker inwardly.

This is going to be fun!

"Ebony," I sigh gleefully, watching her. She doesn't respond…as expected. "Y'know you're my best friend, right?" I jibe and elbow her in the ribs.

"No, I'm not. Kai is."

"Well, y'know you're my best female friend, right?" I try again and give her another nudge.

"No, I'm not. Nya is—"

"Oh, would you just take a compliment!" I explode in exasperation and hand her a glass to dry. She takes it with a slender white eyebrow raised.

"Hn, was that supposed to be a compliment? I couldn't tell."

"And do...NOT…start with that "hn" crap again? I let it slide the first time, but I spent months trying to get that bad habit of yours out of you, so I don't want you relapsing. It's "hm" not "hn", okay? The latter makes you sound like a prick and you don't give a damn—"

I stop mid-lecture when my not-so-precious-anymore student yawns slightly and wipes the corners of her eye to remove sleepy tears. If my arms weren't elbow deep in soapy water I'd cross them over my chest and take my "Cole Impersonation" stance.

"Was that a yawn, Ebony? Am I boring you?"

"A little bit, but that's okay because I don't give a damn—"

"Alright, smartass let's shift the conversation to you."

"I learned from the best and wasn't our previous discussion about me?"

"Yeah, yeah anyway, you're my only source of entertainment right now and as "thrilling" as that sounds for the both of us I really need to laugh since everyone knows laughter is the best medicine."

"I'd much rather knock you out and put you in bed than participate as your court jester, Jay…It would be so simple…and painless. I promise."

I carry on as if I didn't hear her. "So you and a girl, huh? Cole brought up a very interesting question before he left. Did you two kiss?"

Ebony shuts the cabinet containing the glasses and plates. We had finished with all the small things and were on the pots and pans now. She sucks her teeth and an irritable scowl mars her features. "And by knowing this it's suppose to amuse you?"

I smile deviously. "The whole concept amuses me really for the simple reason that it's you."

Her frown deepens. "What the hell does that mean?"

"C'mon Ebony, don't tell Kai this, but I honestly didn't think you two would get together. You just seemed more…asexual than anything else. Don't get me wrong I think you two are good for each other with balancing personalities. He's spontaneous, you're calm, he's passionate, you're detached, and you're both stubborn as bulls with brutal fighting styles. I've never really observed you while you engaged in mortal combat until your trial and damn…you obviously have no problem with gore."

She shrugs. "I've seen a lot. A little more isn't going to faze me let's just leave it at that. But…what's your point? Yes, Kai and I have equilibrium, but I've always found him attractive even in the beginning when he revealed his face for the first time. I thought he was good-looking. So, I've never been asexual. I do appreciate beauty and handsomeness when I see it."

I swallow a bit painfully, but shake off the discomfort and finish the last of the skillets.

"Okay, let's do a little compare and contrast then," I suggest, handing her the large stainless steel cookware. "Out of the four of us who do you think is the most handsome and give reasons why you think so."

Ebony stares at me dubiously as she rotates the towel across the inside of the skillet. "…Are you sure you want to play this game with me? Since I've been told on more than one occasion that I can be too honest, I don't protect anyone's feelings. I just call them as I see them."

"Good, because I'm a big boy not a sniveling brat I think I can handle your criticism."

She gives me another once-over. "You sure?"

"YES!—Wait…I don't want you to compare how I look now since I know I probably look like I have the freakin' plague. I'm talking about on a good day."

"Alright…Cole."

My jaw drops instantly as she goes to put the skillets away in their respected cabinets. I recover and sputter incredulously, "Y-You said that awfully fast, y'know! You could've at least thought about it!"

"No need," she says and returns to me wearing a small smile. "My sisters and I have already had this conversation before. Sasha has the best looking boyfriend."

"WHAT!? All of you voted on Cole even Nya?!" I was prepared for Ebony's deduction, but I never would've guessed that all of the Kunoichi thought Cole was the finest of the bunch. I mean if that's the case then the rest of us must look like roaches! Seriously though, our great leader has the biggest head! You could show how the West was won on it! I don't get it!

Oh man…Nya doesn't think I look better than Cole…?

I massage my aching temples as they begin to throb with a vengeance after my outburst.

"Ugh…why Cole?" I ask with a grimace of pain.

"To put it frankly, he has the most desirable characteristics of what a woman wants a man to be physically."

"Which is?"

"I'm sure you've heard of it…tall, dark, and handsome. Along with these criteria, Cole has a very nice complexion-"

What the hell is wrong with my complexion…?

"—his olive-toned skin goes remarkably well with his pitch black shaggy hair and deep emerald-green eyes. Dark hair and bright eyes are a marvel to behold in both men and women which coincidentally are found in most Italians. Not to mention, his substantial muscle mass properly proportions his body without making him appear too bulky to the point of deformity…like I've seen in the cities. You obviously outmatch him in speed Jay, but Cole is still light on his feet as any ninja or kunoichi should be."

"Yeah, yeah, enough already," I grumble. "I'm faster than Cole, yay!"

Ebony continues to smile, "Jay, this wasn't an easy decision because you are all handsome," she then turns to regard me seriously. "Each of you possesses a charming eye color with Kai's being the rarest. There are very few people on Ninjago who have golden-amber eyes and it's one of his most appealing physical attributes. He and Zane have strong angular faces in comparison to you and Cole's rugged boyish appearance. In regards to complexion as I mentioned before Cole's is rather appealing though the rest of you are nicely toned as well with you and Zane having the fairest shade. However, you are slightly darker than him probably because Zane doesn't have any red blood cells circling through his titanium alloy body, although even if he did his skin is only a protective tissue coating over the metal so no color can filter through which makes the layer almost appear pastel white. Kai has a natural earthly tan which according to Nya he inherited from his father."

I blink at her in amazement. "Wow, you ladies really did your homework, huh?"

"I'm not finished."

"Oh."

"There is nothing spectacular about you, Kai, and Cole's haircuts. Spiky hairdos are a common trend all over, but I guess there is something special about Kai's since he doesn't use hair gel or mousse or anything. It's just…a naturally soft mass of disarrayed hair…like stalks of grain growing in a meadow…" Her voice fades into silence and her eye clouds over.

She must've been spirited away to a moment with Kai. If that cocky numb-nugget saw this he'd be ecstatic.

Her stupor lasts a second more until she clears her throat. A Kodak moment arises when an uncharacteristic blush stains her cheeks. "Um…where was I?

A chuckle erupts from me at her genuinely clueless expression. "A believe you were in the middle of a hot fantasy with a certain firecracker, but who knows?" I grin, "Maybe you were just thinking about farming."

The deadpanned look she gives me is priceless and I burst into laughter once again when she rolls her eyes. What can I say? Getting on Ebony's nerves is fun. She's not as cold as she used to be; to me she's not only my precious student, but also my younger emotionally detached badass sister.

"As I was saying," she begins, allowing me to release the last of my mirth. "It was easy to deduce that Zane had the most unique hairstyle and color amongst you. After that the rest just fell together and Cole won by a small margin. Nya was the one who suggested we look deeper pass the physical and into the soul."

This caught my attention. "What did you do?"

She reaches into her pocket and removes a folded piece of paper. "We made a list," she says and hands it to me, "of character attributes of you four and this is yours that Nya made. She has mine of Kai and Sasha and Ayane switched as well. We promised to never show the lists to you all, but…I feel it's integral for you to see it. See how the woman of your life has characterized you."

I stare at the small fold of paper with a mixture of dread and anxiousness. Would the good outweigh the bad or vice versa?

C'mon Jay, be a man and open it already. This is what Thor was talking about, I can't contemplate on the what if's in life all the time. I need to ride this train until wheels fall off!

Without further hesitation, I open the piece of paper and read out loud.

"Jay has the bluest eyes I've ever seen. So blue that they don't seem natural, but I know they are since he once told me so. Ebony taught me how to spot lies from people's mouths, told me what to look for and I'm happy to say Jay has been honest with me since after our first date at Mega Monster Amusement Park. I've seen him mature, though he still acts like a kid sometimes I enjoy the purity of his heart and the joy he brings to our now bloodied existence. I need Jay…I need him like my lungs need oxygen. He knows his words are my saving grace, but…is he really that strong? Sometimes I have nightmares of past battles. The expressions forever frozen in terror and screams of my victims bombard my sub consciousness, the constant wails for vengeance and hatred. It got so bad one time that I left me and Ebony's room to go to him. When he opened the door with lethargic eyes I rushed into his arms and just clung to him. Jay is a great listener. He simply held my hand while I confessed my troubles to him and not once did he criticize me, not once did he call me weak. He comforted me and said it was normal. We're human and we're not made of stone. Well, he said Cole was and to never run into him full tilt otherwise you'd end up in a coma…"

I smile and continue to read. "…I remember laughing and gazing into his calm deep blue eyes and just like that my troubles drifted away. I stayed with him that night and slept like a baby in his arms while he stroked my hair. Jay is strong. His past is a lot brighter than mine and I admire him for not letting the life of a ninja change him, but something still troubles me though…when I catch him staring at me his eyes are dark and clouded like a brewing storm. Before I can question his brooding, the clouds lift and he smiles brightly. My intuition nags at me to find out the cause of the storm, to seek the truth behind blue eyes. Maybe it's something he can't say or maybe I'm just being too greedy in wanting to know everything. I'll wait because I not only love Jay…I trust him."

I finish the last sentence of dialogue, but prolong my stare at the neat cursive writing of Nya's penmanship.

"Did you understand it?" Ebony asks softly. "Did you see the list and how she characterizes you?"

"Yeah," I answer with a nod and hand her back the precious fold of paper. "Thanks for showing it to me."

"So what are you going to do, Jay?" She presses while pocketing it, but instead of answering her question I voice my own troubles.

"I don't want her to come back and say she doesn't want to be with me. I—"

I'm interrupted when I hear the unmistakable opening of the cabin door and a plethora of voices.

They're back and I'm not ready!

I quickly initiate my Spinjitzu, adorning my blue and black ninja suit and stride out of the kitchen into the dining room without another word to Ebony.

"Are you really okay, Sasha?" Cole asks as he and the others cross over the threshold.

"Yes, thanks Cole I appreciate what you did for me," she replies sincerely.

Zane sees me first and greets me. "Oh Jay, I am happy to see you up and about. How are you—"

"Lloyd, let's get going," I interrupt swiftly. I don't see Nya and hopefully she doesn't see me. "We have lightning training to do." I round the corner entering the hallway and make my way towards the Ninja Training Hall. I don't stop to see if Lloyd is following me or not, but I know he is. I can sense him despite the disruption caused by my mucus-filled head.

I just need a little more time to get my thoughts together. I can't just say whatever. Not when it's something this crucial.

(Nya's POV)

I heard Jay's congested voice, but I can't see him from behind Sasha.

He must still be upset and doesn't want to talk to me. That's okay. I'd much rather speak to a level-headed Jay than a short-tempered Jay. I'll wait a little longer before I go to him and say what I need to say.

A hand suddenly lands on my shoulder and I turn my head to see my brother's angered gaze.

"Want me to go get him back for you?" He asks in a low and menacing tone.

"No, its fine," I assure, looking back at him calmly. "I can fight my own battles, Kai. I can handle Jay."

"Yeah, I've known that for a while now," he smirks, but his face gets stern once again. "Listen, Jay may be my best friend, but you're my sister and blood will always be thicker than water. Know that I always got your back."

I grin up at him. "And I got yours if Ebony ever does something to upset you."

"Ha, deal."

Everyone had returned to the dining room where Ebony was waiting, Kai and I being the last to join. Lloyd must've followed Jay to the Ninja Training Hall quietly since he is nowhere to be seen.

"Welcome back everyone," Ebony welcomes us kindly. "I hope you fared well in Twilight."

"Yeah, it was great meeting Brittany. She is…quite a character," Ayane answers with a blush.

"Why are you blushing, Ayane?" Zane wonders perplexed and my kunoichi sister turns to him.

"It's just that remembering her story. It was certainly something new for me to learn. I'm not entirely familiar with lesbianism or homosexuality in general. It's not something taught in Shika. The only reason I recognize the term is from Hansuke when he told me he saw two girls being…well in his words "lovey-dovey" with each other during one of his and Uncle Dai's trips to Ninjago City. Uncle Dai was the one to enlighten us both on the subject if only vaguely. I remember being so confused and skeptical about what he said, though now I know it's not just a tale from the city."

"I see, yes, knowledge is power no matter the subject," Zane concurs. "While the concept is unusual the visualization of Ebony and Brittany's encounter was insightful."

I can almost see the cumulative question mark appear over everyone's head at that statement, but no one questions Zane's meaning.

"I guess that's the difference between livin' out in the boonies compared to city life," Cole shrugs, "however, I'm not one to talk since Temblor is too small to be a city, but then again it's too big and advanced to be a village. Pop always talked about wanting to take me and my brother back to our ancestral roots in Castelnovetto where he grew up and learned how to sing. He told me the only reason he came abroad was because he wanted to learn how to dance too which of course the Marty Oppenheimer School of Performing Arts is known worldwide for."

"Only talked about? You've never been to your dad's hometown?" Sasha asks and Cole sighs despondently.

"No, I wouldn't have minded going on a family vacation, but…first you got to bring the family together. It never happened and I was partially to blame."

Cole doesn't go into further detail and I know we are all curious especially Sasha when I see her fiddle with her pearl again while biting her lower lip, but no one asks him to elaborate. Family has always been a delicate subject with Cole even after he forged a stronger bond with his dad. His brother however, well…that's all we know. Cole has a younger brother named Dante.

His melancholy disappears from his face and I wonder if I even saw it at all once he turns to Ebony.

"So Psychiatrist of Darkness, what's the diagnosis on Jay? Is he sane or no?"

In response Ebony picks up her journal from the table and leafs through it purposefully. "Contrary to popular belief, Jay has always been sane," she remarks plainly and stops on a certain page. "His aggression towards Nya was not only caused by irritability from his illness, but also from chronic stress and or anxiety. He's been suffering emotionally since the incident and with prolonged absence of Nya's affection his anxiety built up steadily. He kept his discontent entrenched nonetheless with the coming of his illness he began to lose control until he was just a hair-trigger away from exploding which coincidentally is what happened. It hasn't been too long since the release of his corticosteroids, but I really think we should take him to see a doctor. He refused to rest and he's grown considerably paler over the last couple of hours. His health is deteriorating and people are known to die from stress," she closes her journal and the concern is evident on her face. "What should we do? He is so stubborn and his male pride is troublesome. Reconciliation can't be rushed, but something has to be done."

My god…Jay…

"I need to speak to him," I say, pushing towards the front. "I never wanted him to suffer like this. I'll take care of him."

Is this all my fault…?

"Alright sis, let's get Jay—"

"Guys! Come quick!"

We all spin around to see Lloyd's panicked expression. "What is it, Lloyd!?" Cole asks urgently.

"It's Jay! He collapsed!"

Or not…*sigh* Sorry guys, I'm just so tired right now and I barely managed to get this chapter finished. Please leave me some good feedback. That always perks me up a bit! The next chapter will be the last! Time for some juicy secrets!

Please read and review!