Chosen by Destiny
Alright! We're gonna pick up right where we left off! Enjoy!
Chapter 6: Budding Romance
Heather and Nya decided to take their time getting to know each other before they go to sleep.
"That is SO romantic!" Heather listened to Nya's story about her date back at Ninjago Tower.
"Yup. I'll never forget it for the rest of my life." Nya sighed wistfully.
The girls were dressed in their pajamas and chatted on the kunoichi's guest bed.
"So I see that you like Zane." The Asian girl told the brunette in a teasing manner, causing her to let out a high-pitched gasp.
"Well, I-I-I mean… we just met… uh…" The poor girl was a blushing stuttering mess!
"Don't fret. I know how you feel."
"H-how do you know?"
"I've been in love before, and that's what you're feeling right now. Plus, I saw the way you two were looking at each other. It's obvious."
"Me!? IN LOVE!?"
Nya nodded with knowledge in her eyes.
"H-how can that b-b-be!? I never had a crush b-before!" Heather continued to stutter. She had a habit of doing that whenever she was riled up. Nya got up and placed a firm hand on each of her shoulders.
"Listen, Heather. Don't get so worked up over this. Just give it some time. You can't just rush into any sort of relationship, but you also can't doubt yourself. Love is complicated, Heather. You have to wait and see if things will work out before you can exchange 'I love you's'. At least, take some time to know Zane a little better."
"O-Okay…"
"By the way, he likes you too."
"Really?"
"Yup!"
"Oh gosh…"
"You're one lucky girl, Heather! Zane's a really wonderful guy once you get to know him!"
"I-I guess I am… But I'm still not sure… This is possibly my first relationship…"
"Don't worry, as I said, give it some time, and you'll find out if you and Zane can be together."
"I-I'll try. Thank you Nya."
"No problem. Good night."
"Good night."
After retreating to her room, Heather threw herself onto her bed. She had so many questions in her head she started to get a headache.
'Do I have what it takes? Am I really kunoichi material? What if I can't do it? I mean, I've wanted to leave Arbouria one day, but like this? It's too much! Perhaps the guys were wrong and I can't be a kunoichi. But if I say no, then ALL of Ninjago will be in danger, and it will be all my fault for refusing. What about my parents? What about everyone? What about… Zane…?'
She could feel her face heat up at the thought of the white ninja.
'Enough, Heather! You got a big day tomorrow! Get some sleep!'
After much difficulty, the English girl finally drifted off into dreamland, except she didn't dream of anything at all.
The guys were NOT having such a pleasant night.
By the time they got to the inn, only one room was available, which unfortunately, had only one bed and there were five of them…
(*) "Kuso! Cole, quit hogging the blanket!" Lloyd tried to tug some of the fabric from Cole so he could get warm. Apparently, they all had to cram themselves in the same bed.
"Well suck it up! I'm sensitive to the cold!" The black ninja clung to the warm blanket as if his life depended on it.
"Just to warn you guys," Jay started, "I was told I kick in my sleep."
Poor Kai was sleepy AND grumpy. All he wanted was some sleep and he wanted it NOW.
"SHUT UP! EVERYBODY! JUST SHUT THE HELL UP! ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT WE FOUND THE SECOND KUNOICHI AND WE'RE HALFWAY THROUGH THIS DUMB QUEST! NOW GO TO SLEEP!"
After some murmurs and grunts of (general) agreement, the lights were turned off and the guys tried to sleep. Before a full minute passed, at least Kai and Jay were already snoring. But Zane couldn't sleep. Not because of the bed or the noise, but because of a certain someone…
'Heather…'
Zane's mechanical eyes glowed in the darkness as he laid wide awake.
'Does she want to join us? What if she says no? Do I have a chance with her?'
Zane could feel his systems heat up at the thought of a relationship with her. At the same time, a bitter realization hit him.
'But she's a human and I'm just a robot who looks just like a human. She'll age and eventually die, while I remain the same and will be all alone again. How will she take it if I tell her I'm not human? If I do, maybe- no… she'll reject me. Oh who am I kidding? I don't deserve someone as wonderful as her.'
The nindroid sadly resigned himself to his lonely fate and slipped into a dreamless night.
And Jay wasn't kidding about the kicking…
The ninjas made their way back to Heather's house. Thanks to Zane's memory bank, they had no trouble getting there. Once they reached their destination, they were greeted by Wu, Nya, and Heather. Obviously, Jay was ecstatic to see his girlfriend.
"Nya! I thought I'd never see you again!" The blue ninja rushed up and hugged his girlfriend.
Great, more sappiness…
"Enough, Jay. I'm fine." Nya giggled, squeezing herself out of Jay's embrace.
"Heather."
"Yes, Sensei Wu?"
"I expect you haven't made your decision yet. But until you do, take some time to get to know the other ninjas."
"Alright."
"Now let's head inside."
In the living room, Heather finally got all the ninjas' names.
"The one in red is Kai, ninja of fire." Wu motioned towards the young man in red.
"This is Jay, blue ninja of lightning." Jay greeted her with a 'hi' before gazing at Nya again.
"Then Cole, black ninja of earth and leader of the ninjas." Said ninja merely nodded at her.
"And last but not least, is my nephew, Lloyd Garmadon, the destined green ninja."
The blonde boy gave a nonchalant greeting before gazing elsewhere.
"I take it you already know Nya and Zane."
The mentioned kunoichi and ninja passed a comforting smile towards Heather.
"Heather, I like to know your decision by noon, until then my students, go and explore Arbouria and find some clues about the Forest Staff. Meanwhile, you, Heather, should learn more about being a ninja with Zane." Wu looked at Zane, aware of the nindroid's growing attraction for the second kunoichi.
"Yes Sensei." Heather obeyed the old man like she was already his student. Wu nodded as he went off to a secluded corner to meditate.
"Now that Sensei's outta the way, let's go out." Cole got up, itching to explore this new town. The ninjas got up in tow but Zane stayed seated as the ninjas prepared to leave.
"Do you remember the way back?" Zane asked.
"Yeah. Quit worrying Zane." Kai responded.
Soon afterwards everyone but Zane and Heather were gone. It was just the two of them now.
The infatuated duo stood in silence, taking their time to take in each other's looks.
Every time Heather looked into Zane's crystalline eyes, they looked like they glowed, adding a mysterious air to him she found more and more appealing.
Zane noticed that Heather carried a sophisticated fragrance of white roses and gardenias, quite distinct from the cherry blossoms in Nya's presence.
"So Zane! I like to show you my garden!" The brunette grabbed the blonde's arm and led him into the backyard, attempting to have a moment with him. Once outside, she let go of his hand, allowing him to explore the flower-filled yard for the first time.
"I always come here to just be me." Heather walked ahead, tending to the plants. "Whenever I need time to think about stuff or escape from the rest of the world, I would stay here and then I forget all about my problems. The plants always had that sort of effect on me. Do you like it?"
"It's lovely." The nindroid observed the flowers he previously seen in the falcon's visions.
Speaking of which…
The falcon swooped down and perched on his arm. Heather also recognized it.
"That's the same falcon I met the other day!"
"So you've met him. This falcon is my companion and he has helped me and the others through many trials. I owe my life to him."
"I guess it really is fate that led us up to this point."
"I believe so."
"Zane… Since I'm destined to be a ninja, what's it like being one?"
Thus, the nindroid spent all morning telling Heather of the ninjas' adventures, from skirmishes with the Serpentine to finding their true potentials. It was all fascinating to her.
"That's amazing! Do you think I'll find my 'true potential' one day?"
"I assure you that you will one day. But as Sensei Wu said, it will be a long time before you do so, for the life of a ninja isn't always so glorious."
Before Zane could continue, the doorbell rang. Heather ran inside to check through the window and sure enough, the ninjas returned.
"Uncle!" Lloyd called out to his relative once Heather opened the door.
"I see you've returned my students." The old man greeted his pupils.
"We think we have a good idea where the next Silver Weapon is." Nya explained.
"What information did you find?"
"Whenever we asked for rumors or anything interesting, most of the guys spoke of this 'Deep Woods' or something like that." Jay added.
"The Deep Woods? I know about that place!" Heather pushed her way into the conversation.
"What do you know about it?" Kai asked almost rudely.
"Well, there's a rumor that there's a treasure or something like that somewhere in the 'Deep Woods'. When Arbouria was first built, some explorers went in there to find it, but they never returned. Neither has anyone who attempted to venture in there after that. Nobody dared to go in there afterwards."
"I believe that 'treasure' may actually be the Forest Staff, which is destined to be yours." The old man looked at the brunette. "So, Heather? Have you made your decision?"
"I… I…"
"You don't have to answer immediately."
Heather knew there was no turning back, but somewhere deep in her heart, she realized this was her destiny and she had to face it head on. She also knew it wasn't going to be easy, but then again, most things in life wasn't.
"I accept."
She knew what she got herself into, but she had no regrets.
Saying goodbye is difficult. Especially to your parents, not knowing when you'll see them again.
"Mother… Father…" Heather embraced her parents once she got her things packed, which were just some clothes and pictures.
"I'll miss you all so much." She hugged her family as if it was the last day of Ninjago.
"Oh Heather, I must say, I'm proud of you." Mr. Stuart hugged his daughter. "I can't believe that you'll go on an adventure to save Ninjago. It feels like only yesterday when you were a little girl picking any flower of your fancy. I'm going to miss you."
Poor guy was close to tears. His wife had to support him.
"Heather, PLEASE be careful out there."
"I will mother."
"And Zane…"
The nindroid looked up at Mrs. Stuart.
"No matter what happens, please look after my daughter. I know I can trust you with her."
"I promise, I will keep Heather safe from harm, come what may."
After saying their final goodbyes, Heather's parents saw off the group and their daughter until they were out of sight.
At the entrance, the group stopped for a breather.
"Sensei? Where are we going?" Cole asked his teacher once they stopped.
"The Deep Woods." Wu answered calmly.
"What!? Uncle, that's crazy! Didn't you hear what Heather said!? Anyone who've been there never came back! What if that happens to us!?"
"It will not. The people before us were not destined for the Forest Staff, and Heather…"
The English girl perked up at her name, looking at Wu with her grayish-blue irises.
"You can't fight in those clothes. I'll give you your new uniform now."
The girl was confused. How was he going to do that?
"NINJA-GO!"
Wu suddenly became a bright tornado and zoomed past Heather, leaving her in a new outfit.
Heather's ninja uniform was in teal, much like Nya's being yellow. Her halter top left a little bit of space between the hem and her shorts, which had a long transparent half-skirt on the right side that went down to her knees. She also had tall boots and loose arm covers reaching her elbows, and the same mask as Nya's. One thing that remained was her headband.
"Whoa…" Heather shook off the dizziness from the twister.
"Heather Stuart, you are from here on in, the kunoichi of nature."
"Oh wow, I wasn't expecting this kind of clothing…" Heather slowly rotated, getting a good look at her uniform, her half-skirt twirling around her legs.
Zane kept staring at the gorgeous girl before him, thinking she couldn't be any more beautiful. His reddening face was not caused by blood rush, but from increased heat within his systems. He wondered if being an android was a mixed blessing…
"Zane!" Cole had to shake Zane out of his stupor.
Jay gave the nindroid a knowing smirk, having had similar experiences beforehand.
"Now, can you tell us exactly where the 'Deep Woods' are?" Wu asked Heather.
"Sure. The Deep Woods is the southeastern portion of the forest just outside of here."
"Then lead the way."
As Heather pointed them towards the Deep Woods, the group realized that the name was apt. The further they went, the thicker the forest got, and all the foliage let in less sunlight, making it very dark, even at this time of day. The ninjas had to stay close so none of them got lost.
Jay tried to ease the tension by chatting, albeit only with Nya, who listened intently. Heather couldn't help but notice the way Kai glared daggers towards them, ESPECIALLY Jay.
"I take it that Kai and Nya are siblings?" Heather asked to no one in particular
"How did you know?" The earth ninja raised his thick eyebrows.
"I noticed how Kai keeps glaring at Jay every time he's close to Nya or even just looking at her. Almost like an overprotective brother."
"You don't say…"
'Obviously, Heather's never seen one of Kai's famous outbursts before.' Lloyd thought.
The ninjas went further and further into the forest, the eeriness was starting to get to Kai.
"Brrrr… Where the hell is the Forest Staff!? This place is giving me the creeps!"
"Awww…. Is big bro scared of the dark scary woods?" Nya teased him putting emphasis on the last three words.
"Hell no! Being scared and thinking some place is creepy is different!"
"Yeah…" Cole added, "…right…"
(*) "Urusai! YOU used to be scared of dragons!"
"That was a long time ago!"
"Kai! Cole! Stop fighting! This isn't the right time." Zane got in between the squabbling ninjas, trying to push them apart.
*BONK* *BONK*
"Ow!"
Sensei Wu had enough and hit the fire and earth ninjas on their heads with his staff.
"Enough, both of you! The last thing I want to hear from the both of you is an apology."
"Sorry Sensei…" Both ninjas hung their heads in humiliation.
"It's nearby." Heather interrupted the ninjas.
The others perked up at the kunoichi of nature's statement.
"The Forest Staff. I could feel it that way."
The new kunoichi ran off with the others following her until she led them into a secluded grove. In front of them was none other than…
"The Forest Staff…"
The Silver Weapon of Nature stood in the center of the area on a stone that served as a type of pedestal. The weapon had an intricate pattern running through it like vines. Heather walked up to it, feeling like it was actually calling out to her. The kunoichi felt her adrenaline pick up once she grasped it, the staff glowed at that moment, and then shrunk into only one foot in length. 'I guess the staff shrinks when I'm not really using it.' The brunette mused to herself.
"We finally have the second Silver Weapon. Now, let's leave." Before the ninja could, a familiar growl echoed throughout the grove. Behind them, there was a dragon! Unlike Star, this one had dark green scales and a lighter green pattern around its limbs like leaves.
Heather would've screamed, if it wasn't for her voice getting caught in her throat. Nonetheless, she clung to Zane so tight, the nindroid thought his gears would be squeezed out of place.
"W-What do I do?" Heather whispered to the white ninja once she found her voice.
"You must prove that you aren't evil. The dragons were told to protect the weapons from those with evil intentions, you have to prove that you're one of us."
Heather gave a tiny step towards the dragon but not without passing a concerned glance at the others' direction. Nya only gave her a hand motion that said 'go on'. Once she finally faced the dragon, she felt a spark of daring ignite within her that she never felt before.
"Do not try anything dragon!" The kunoichi raised her voice towards the winged creature, who stood still as she got closer.
"I understand that you don't trust me, but I know I'm a kunoichi and that is what's been fated for me! Please, this staff was destined to be mine and I promise I have no intention for evil. If you give me the opportunity, I'll let you help as well."
The dragon grunted in response and pressed its head next to the teal kunoichi.
"Phew! Now that Heather's got herself a pet, let's leave already!" Jay complained.
With Zane's help, the group retraced their steps and made it out of the Deep Woods, the first people to get out alive. The sun was setting by the time they finally got out.
"Oh sweet sunlight! I'm never going back in there ever again!" Kai was grateful to finally leave that awful place.
"Lloyd, Nya? Do you remember how to call the other dragons?" Wu asked.
The boy and kunoichi nodded and whistled. Before long, the Ultra Dragon and Star responded and landed in front of them, as well as Heather's dragon, who recognized its kind. The nature kunoichi followed the others' example and got onto her dragon.
"Zane!"
The ninja of ice looked up at the brunette as she called him.
"Would you like to go with me?" She offered her hand with a smile.
"I would like that." Grasping a rosy hand with his pale one, Zane got onto the kunoichi's dragon and the group of ninjas finally headed back to Ninjago City. Heather somehow managed to hide her excitement at the prospect of a life of adventure. Not only that, but she would get to spend time with Zane. She looked up at him with admiration and new confidence.
"You know, I feel safe with you, Zane. I don't know what challenges we'll face, but at least you'll be there to teach me. I trust you." Heather gave a sweet smile towards Zane.
It didn't sound like much, but the blonde was touched by her kindness. Maybe he does have a chance with her after all…
But both Zane and Heather knew that this was just the tip of the iceberg…
(*) Kuso = Dammit (Japanese)
(*) Urusai = Shut up (Japanese)
Whoo! Two down, two to go! PLEASE review everybody!
Oh, and Garmadon will finally appear in the next chapter (bet U wonder what he's been up to)! So stay tuned!
