A/N: I would like to apologize again for the foaming-at-the-mouth rant last chapter. I have to say I feel much better now, though. Now let's continue with the revisions.
Please read and enjoy!
Chapter 6
Jay's lips have such a profound, addicting flavor…like rich, creamy mocha from a world-class cafe. His hand that was covering mine moves up to rest on my upper arm as he responds to my kiss with equal passion and tenderness. My own hand slides down from his cheek to rest on his neck where I can feel his strong pulse resonating quickly beneath my fingertips.
I pull back, but only enough to take a quick breath before leaning forward and tasting his lips again. Mmmm…he's such a good kisser… The kiss is kept innocent and sweet, with only soft nips and nibbles shared between us. His warm breath intermingles with mine, and I feel it entering my body and igniting my soul.
"Uhnn…Nya…mmmm…"
His soft utter of my name emboldens me with pride and affection. But I reel in my desires and pull back, breathless and intoxicated. Feeling a blush stain my cheeks, I close my eyes shyly, unable to meet his gaze.
"This…this isn't a dream…" I hear him utter, awestruck. "You're really here…"
I feel his hand lightly squeeze my arm. "You don't feel like my pillow…"
I giggle and open my eyes to meet his deep blue ones. His eyes are wide with surprise and a tint of pink is touching his face also.
"Nya…" There it is… My name again, and spoken so wantonly. He leans forward to kiss me again, and I close my eyes blissfully in preparation for more of the heavenly contact.
"I'm sorry sir, but I really must ask you to leave now."
Jay and I pull apart like two electrons. He stands and whirls around to face where the voice had come from. I turn also to the source and see the nurse from before standing in the doorway.
Jay scratches his head sheepishly. "Oh! I-I-I I'm really sorry… Okay, I'll…I'll leave..."
He turns back to me and picks up my hand and kisses my knuckles tenderly. When he looks up, his eyes are clouded with such deep emotion I couldn't look away. "I'll see you tomorrow, Nya."
Such a wonderful smile…. I give him one of my own.
"Yeah… See you tomorrow, Jay." The warmth on my cheeks isn't fading. Nope. Not one bit.
He heads for the door and the nurse ushers him out. She gives me a pleasant, knowing smile before she too, exits and closes the door gently behind her.
I sigh as I lay back against my pillows.
Jay's words were just so powerful and meaningful, I couldn't help myself. Words aren't everything; I know this, of course. After all, I've been taught that actions would always speak louder than words. But that's just it…Jay has already proven his affections, perhaps all along. I'm the one who's shown up late for the party—being blindsided with my exploits as the Samurai X in order to prove my mettle and self-worth to the "all boy's club".
However, that's not necessary anymore. I can now finally focus on what my heart's been saying to me for quite some time now. I lift my hand, ignoring the pull of the I.V. drip and splay it over my still pounding heart. I close my eyes again.
Yes…
Yes…
Yes…
"I've completely fallen in love with him."
It was a fact—a statement. One with no inhibitions or doubt. I am certain of the emotion flooding my entire being. I turn on my side and gaze at the waxing gibbon shining outside my window. There's no turning back now.
Tunneling under the soft sheets, sleep finds me easily. And I smile. Content and blushing.
(The next morning)
"Miss Nya…? Please wake up now…"
I wake up to see the nurse from yesterday smiling down at me. I sit up and rub the morning dew from my eyes. "Uh, what time is it?" I ask, groggy and lethargic.
"Oh, it's about nine o' clock. You slept like a log last night." She reaches behind me to fluff my pillow, and I spot a tray of breakfast on a high-rise table. My mouth instantly waters at the appetizing sight: scrambled eggs, two slices of bacon, apple slices, and a tall glass of orange juice. Come to think of it, the last thing I ate was a single bite of the casserole Cole made yesterday.
I glance over at her and read her name badge. Camille… That's a pretty name.
"Thank you very much, Camille," I say graciously, inclining my head to show my upkeep in displaying manners.
Camille finishes fluffing my pillow and slides the table closer to me. "You're quite welcome, Miss Nya. You've responded well to the treatment we've given you. So now all that's left to do is check your vitals and the doctor should give the okay for you to be discharged." Camille ambles over to my other side and adjusts my I.V. bag and places a black, Velcro wrap around my arm to check my blood pressure.
I take a sip of my orange juice and a bite of a piece of bacon. The actions were a little lacking in grace due to me not being a lefty, but oh well. I'm way too hungry to care right now. "Oh please…*nom nom*… call me Nya," I say over a mouthful of bacon. So much for decorum and etiquette…
Camille laughs lightly, a few polished and painted fingernails pressing femininely to her lips. "Okay then." She grins. "Nya."
A comfortable silence encompasses us, with Camille checking my vitals and me gulping down my breakfast. "So how long have you two been together, Nya?" Camille asks breaking the silence between us.
I nearly choke on my eggs. "Huh?!" I gasp, feeling the rush of blood surge onto my checks with startling speed.
"Oh I see…" A thin, ginger eyebrow cocks. "…Not very long, huh?" Camille chuckles at my expense, while I try to quell my sudden influx of blood.
"Well—uh um yes! I-I mean! No! *ahem* Not…not for very long." I try to play off my stuttering nervousness by pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. I clear my throat again for good measure.
"Is he your first boyfriend?" She inquires next, still grinning all the while.
"Well I um…no. I mean, yes." I sigh a bit pitifully. "Yes, he is..." I can feel my face burn with mortification at this. Jay is my first boyfriend. With Kai always being a little too overprotective and me being a bit too oblivious to another guy's feelings, I never really experienced an actual relationship before.
More importantly, why was I telling Camille all this?
Well, maybe because I haven't associated with another female in a while and could use the good old-fashioned girl talk? Yeah, that was probably it… Yeah, that was it.
"No way, really?" Camille gapes with genuine surprise. "Hmm…I thought you would have had quite a few because of how pretty you are…" It was a compliment, yes. But the way she had said it so off-handedly made me blush five shades of red.
"Well, you're in for one very life-changing experience, and I wish you the best of luck," she continues nonchalantly, finishing my check-up and gathering her equipment.
Wait…that's it.
No sage advice, no words of wisdom.
I stare at Camille, waiting for her to say more. But all she does it write something down on a clipboard and scoots aside the folding table with my now empty tray of food. "You appear to be in excellent health now. Looks like recovery from your allergic reaction was short and swift. I'll let the doctor know that you're ready to be released," she finishes and heads for the door.
"Wait! Camille!" I yelp out desperately. "What do I do? I mean…isn't there some type of…oh I don't know…strategy I should be aware of?" I ask, completely clueless.
Camille turns around with a small smirk on her lips. "Sorry honey, this is something you're going to have to figure out yourself. Every relationship is different and you just have to go with whatever your heart tells you. If it's meant to be then it is, if not then it's not." Her tone is concise and certain, and in a way…her words do help.
I take a deep breath to steel myself for the unknown of my newfound feelings. I just have to follow my heart and whatever happens…happens? Is that really all there is to it…? Am I missing something…? Or…
"I'm sure your friends will be here shortly, so perk up. You're going home today." Camille's bright and happy excerpt catches me unawares, and I startle out of my stupor just in time to see her resume her walk towards the door.
"Oh, and try not to over think things, you'll just get even more stressed." Her last tidbit of advice settles to hang over my head as she closes the door.
I sit back against my pillows. Well…this should be interesting.
(Later that morning)
*knock knock knock*
"Nya? You awake? We're coming in."
I was dozing off when I heard Kai's muffled voice through the barrier of the door, and I blink awake to see him and the others file into my room. "Hey sis, feeling better?" My brother asks, stepping up to my bedside. They were all dressed in their ZX ninja attire with their hoods pulled back.
"Much…mmm…better thanks…" Sleep still clings to my body, but I readily shake it off to better receive my family, friends, and…yeah, boyfriend. I smile reflexively.
"Here, Nya…" Cole says steps up to my other side, holding out a purple duffel bag to me, "…we brought you a change of clothes. Don't know if it matches, though. Since—y'know—Kai picked it out and all..."
Kai shoots the smirking black ninja a glare. "I know you're not talking, linguine for brains! YOU picked out green shorts and a pink and orange shirt!" Kai exclaims hotly, pointing an accusatory finger at the elder ninja.
"Hey! Those colors go just fine together, thank you very much!"
"Yeah, if you want to blind someone!" Kai snaps back. "It was hot pink and everything!"
I laugh out loud at their antics. It feels so good to be near these goofballs again. A hand falls onto my shoulder and I look up to see Jay smiling down at me. The ambience is nostalgic, sure. But excitement still bubbles in my breast…Or is it heartburn from the bacon…? Well, whatever it is, I can't help the goofy smile that lights my face.
"Nya, would you like us to leave, so that you may change attire?" Zane asks over the bickering of the red and black ninja.
"Hee hee…Yes, please," I reply with a small giggle.
"Okay guys, you two can argue over who has the best fashion sense later," Jay mediates. "Let's give Nya some privacy so she can change clothes. We'll be waiting outside Nya," my new boyfriend says over his shoulder as they all leave the room.
When the door closes, I unzip my mother's old duffel bag and gander at the clothes within: red shorts, a simple white blouse, and my worn pair of flip flops. I roll my eyes. Leave it to Kai to pick something so plain. I rummage through the back some more, only to come up with even more exasperation. And yes, of course…no fresh bra and panties for me, it seems. Oh well… I quickly disrobe from my hospital gown, throw on my bra and panties from yesterday, stuff my old clothes in the bag, and leave the room.
"Okay, everyone," Cole starts as they all turn to see me exit the room, "the team is back together. Now let's head on back to the Bounty. Sensei Wu is waiting for us." He then turns and leads the way out of the hospital. As we're walking, I feel Jay's hand brush mine. I smile and confidently grasp his hand, giving it a small squeeze. And my smile broadens as he squeezes back. I spot Camille near the receptionist's desk and she flashes a wink and a warm wave goodbye. Thankful and appreciative, I wave back. Thanks, Camille.
(Back on Destiny's Bounty)
Sensei Wu is waiting for us on the deck. "Nya, I'm so glad you're alright," he says as he comes over to hug me.
"Thanks, Sensei," I say gratefully, releasing him.
"Do you need to rest further? Your health is very important, after all…" I'm a bit shocked by his concern, having never really received much attention from him, but nonetheless am touched by the soft sincerity of his words.
I open my mouth, quick to reassure him. "I'm fine, really. Thank you."
He looks me over with the care of a loving grandfather that has me grinning. But thankfully, I pass his critical once over and he gives me one, final relieved smile before shifting his attention to everyone else. "Now, young Ninja, we still have a mission to accomplish…" The atmosphere shifts from serenity to grave in a matter of seconds as our grandmaster steps back to look at us. "Though the Serpentine have been quiet, we know they are still looking for the three remaining Fang Blades and we must be prepared."
"Don't worry, Sensei, we'll be ready for them," Kai states with determination.
"Yeah! All we need is one, and we'll be sure to grab the next one." Cole rallies his fellow Ninja with vim and vigor, and pumps his fist into the air. "So come on guys! For us to get stronger and reach our full potential, we have to train our butts off!"
"YEAH!" All the boys shout together, mimicking their leader with hearty fist pumps.
They then all disperse to train their own way, leaving Jay and I alone. With his hand still holding mine he turns to me, his sapphire eyes shadowed with lingering concern. "Do you want to go inside and rest Nya? Yanno…since we're going to be out here for awhile?"
"Are you kidding, Jay! Didn't you hear what I told Sensei? I'm fine. Besides, I've rested enough while I was in the hospital." I punch his arm playfully—which he, for some reason, winces at—and place my hands on my hips. "I think I'll stay outside and train too, I could use the practice," I say, looking around for a good place to train by myself.
He rubs absently at the arm I hit, wearing a wry smile. "Okay. But please…don't overdo it."
He leans over to kiss my cheek and then pulls on his hood, walking off to join the others. I watch them for awhile, admiring their grace and fluid movements, their Golden Weapons gleaming in the day's first true rays of sunlight. But soon, I go to my own space of the ship to begin my own training. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. The wind feels good against my face as I get into my favorite and most practiced fighting stance…the one my mother taught me. I sometimes feel like I can still hear her melodious voice teaching me how to go from one kata to the next—how to move with the wind, how to bend strongly like the bamboo growing in the forests behind our home.
My body feels light as I go through the movements…my mother's voice strong, steady, and beautiful in my mind and resonating within my heart and soul.
Right palm thrust to spinning heel kick…
"Yes, that's it, Nya… Move with the speed of a raging tempest, but also…with the grace of a falling leaf…"
Crouching sweep to high roundhouse…
"This is Tai Chi… The fighting style of the women of our family… We are the force behind the wind…the gales beneath wings…"
The wind around me seems to curl around my body, giving my attacks more speed and power.
Parry and counter with a flash kick…
My brow furrows in further concentration, my mother's voice and teachings brimming with fortitude and spirit! Driving me to put my all into my form! My body sails high into the air with the wind giving me extra momentum as I extend my legs fluidly into a split and twirl with the force and velocity of streaming tempest. Curling my body into a somersault after the maneuver, I land lightly on my feet in a crouch, my arms spread like an eagle's wings around me.
"Yes…Yes, that's it… You are so very strong…my daughter…"
My mother's voice fades from my mind, but stays in my heart, and all I can hear is the whispering of wind tumbling through the air.
A whisper…
A whisper…
(Come find me, Little Gale… For I am yours to wield…)
I open my eyes with a start to see everyone staring at me with astonished expressions. I openly pant, but not from exertion. That voice… That last voice was NOT my mother's… But then…why do I feel so…
Sensei Wu suddenly approaches me with a look of pure, unadulterated awe. "Nya…" he whispers ominously, "…you…you have an affinity for Wind..."
A/N: *sigh* Even though I don't like Nya as much as I used to, I will still portray her the way she once was. So yeah, I guess she's going to be OOC with accordance to canon. I'm not sorry.