Hello everyone! This was originally going to be a short, fluffy chapter with Lloyd and Morro, but I kept adding to it so I just made it a full length one. Fun fact, when I was writing this on paper and I was writing the title I accidently wrote "Llove" instead of "Love". Just goes to show you that I write Lloyd too much. XD
Review replies:
MadilynJC: Right on the first try! Yay! I looked up Neyla. Now I have a great mental image of Tara. :) BTW, I think I'm going to make Tara around 25 instead of 17 because I need more backstory for her. Is that okay?
Angel: Indigo is glad you're standing up for her, and Tara walks off muttering. This chapter is for you, I hope you like it. ^ ^
Windy: I'm so glad you like this so much! I know I would die if I couldn't talk to my internet friends all week. Yep, platonic love is friendship love. :) Yeah, Tara is nuts. Well, sort of. I'm still working her out. But yeah. Evil. Thanks! I'm glad you like her name. Morro, you can deny it all you want. It doesn't make it any less true. (Morro: But I don't like her!)
Kairocksrainbow: We really need to split those two up before they blow up the Bounty... and seriously, Kayson? Tables? Ha! *throws table at Kayson* YOU WILL DIE FOR KILLING COLE! Okay, knocking him out. But whatever.
iluvninjagothenextstepgirl: Nope, that was Indigo. Tara's a different one.
Let us now read le chapter.
Chapter 11
Morro lay back against the cold, stone wall, watching Indigo sleep peacefully. He wasn't sure what that "Tara" girl was doing when he caught her, but it wasn't looking for food. He'd thought he saw a flash of light off of metal, right before he startled her. A knife, maybe. Whatever the case, he was determined to keep an eye on her so she didn't try anything. He would simply have to stay awake all night. But his mind nagged at him, telling him that he had to sleep sometime. He would have to tell someone about his suspicions. But he pushed those thoughts aside, telling himself that he could do just fine on his own. For hours, he sat against the wall, watching Indigo sleep and listening to Tara muttering in her corner. He tried to stay away, but the darkness was so peaceful, he could barely keep his eyes open...
Morro's eyes snapped open. He realized he had fallen asleep and quickly turned to where Tara was lying on her rock. Seeing her motionless, he turned to Indigo, who had changed positions but was still sleeping peacefully. Morro exhaled silently. He would need to confide in someone, he couldn't do this alone. And the only one he trusted, besides Indigo, was Lloyd. Morro silently got to his feet, using his slight glow to find his best friend among the piles of people and supplies. He soon located the Green Ninja, fast asleep and sprawled across his bedroll. Morro gently shook Lloyd's shoulder, whispering his name urgently to wake him. After a few moments, Lloyd's eyes blinked open and he focused on Morro.
"Morro? What is it?" he whispered tiredly, sitting up.
"I need your help. Come with me." Morro tugged Lloyd to his feet and carefully led him across the cave towards Indigo. "I woke up earlier and saw Tara leaning over Indigo. I asked her what she was doing and she said she was looking for food, but I think she had a knife. I need to keep an eye on her, but I need to sleep before I pass out. Can you stay up and watch Tara? I don't want her killing us in our sleep." Morro whispered in a rush.
"Of course." Lloyd nodded, now fully awake. "But why not just tell everyone?"
"If I'm right and she is planning to kill us, I don't want her to know that we know." Morro replied, still whispering. "And if I'm wrong, it wouldn't be fair to have everyone suspicious of her if she's innocent."
"Right. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her. You should sleep." Lloyd said, sinking down to lean against the wall next to Morro's bedroll.
"Wake me when you get tired..." Morro murmured, lying down on his bedroll.
"That's alright. I've already had plenty of sleep." Lloyd replied. There was silence in the cave for a few moments before Lloyd spoke up. "Morro?"
"Yes?" Morro asked, eyes half open.
"I'm glad you trust me."
"Why wouldn't I?" Morro sat up, meeting Lloyd's bright green eyes with his pale green ones. "You're the one who befriended me, and gave me food, and a home, even after all I've done to you..." Morro trailed off, looking at the ground as he remembered all the times he hurt Lloyd, mostly mentally but physically as well, when he possessed him. Lloyd was apparently remembering the same things, as he closed his eyes and a pained expression crossed his face. It quickly vanished, however, and he met Morro's eyes again.
"That was the past." Lloyd smiled. "I believe in you." he looked down at Indigo, who was still fast asleep. "When we first met Indigo, she scared me. She still scares me, a little. But I always knew I could trust you and the others to take care of me. And if Tara does turn out to be evil," Lloyd's face took on a serious expression and he turned back to Morro. "I trust that you can keep me safe." Morro smiled genuinely and hugged the younger boy, not trusting himself to speak for fear that his voice would crack. Lloyd hugged him back. They stayed like that for a few minutes, before Morro finally pulled away and lay down on his bedroll, the hours watching Tara without rest finally taking their toll. Within moments, he was asleep.
ReturnToTheCursedRealm
Tara lay motionless on her rock, contemplating the conversation she had just heard. Lloyd and Morro had apparently had a rocky beginning to their friendship, which she gathered from Morro saying "after all I've done to you". She'd have to find out what happened, maybe she could use it to generate distrust between them. It was a pity she hadn't heard the whole conversation, they were speaking too quietly for her to hear them for a while. Oh well. She was resourceful. She could do her job. As long as she got paid, she could do anything her client asked, if it be to split the volcano in two. She smiled, thinking of the payment her client had waiting for her. Once she had that, she could retire from this dangerous job and settle down in a small town somewhere, maybe marry... Tara frowned, thinking of the last person she had trusted. She growled inwardly, pushing the thoughts of him out of her mind and rolling over, determined to go to sleep.
ReturnToTheCursedRealm
"...rro...Morro...Wake up, Morro!" Morro opened his eyes to see Lloyd shaking his shoulder lightly. "The rain's finally stopped! We can leave!" Lloyd told him excitedly as Morro sat up. The rest of the party was milling around the cave, packing up supplies and listening to T.E.C.M.I. talk about the latest breakfast special.
"...a delicious omelette, with three cheeses and mushrooms!"
"Wow, I think her suggestions are getting better!" Cole said as he rolled up his bedroll.
"...with boiling hot chocolate sauce!"
"Nope." Kai replied. "Still bad as ever." They continued packing until a loud sound from the tunnel interrupted them.
"Meow." All heads turned towards the entrance of the tunnel, and Morro saw a large cat standing there. He was gray with black stripes and a white belly and feet, and there was a piece of wire wrapped loosely around his neck in a crude collar. The end of the wire was coiled into a spiral, which hung on the front of his neck over his chest. There was silence for a moment before Indigo let out a high pitched shriek and dropped the heavy backpack in her hand (onto Jay's foot) and dashed towards the cat, scooping him up into her arms and twirling around.
"Daggerclaws! I've missed you SO much!" she set the cat down on the ground and knelt next to him. "What are you doing here? I told you to stay at home!" Indigo tried to act stern but failed miserably. Daggerclaws tilted his eat and flicked his tail, letting out two sharp meows. "I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself!" Indigo argued, still smiling.
"Uh, Indigo? Why are you talking to the cat?" Kayson asked, walking towards her. Daggerclaws whirled around and hissed at Kayson, his claws bared and his fur standing on end. Indigo laughed and smoothed his fur down.
"No worries, they're friends. Everyone, this is Daggerclaws. He's my best friend." Daggerclaws relaxed and sat back on his hind feet, lifting one front paw into the air. Jay laughed and waved.
"I thought you said you didn't have any friends." Nya raised an eyebrow.
"I do." Indigo said, without going into details.
"Well guys, looks like we have a new addition to our team." Kai announced. Daggerclaw flicked his ear and meowed again.
"You're friends now." Indigo translated. "He'll take care of you."
"Ha! I don't need a cat to take care of me!" said Jay proudly.
"Well, you don't want him fighting you." Indigo said with a smirk, picking at a fingernail boredly. "Y'know why I named him "Daggerclaws"?"
Laughter could be heard from outside the cave, followed by a scream and a loud meow.
DUN DUN DUUUUU- oh wait, that wasn't a cliffhanger.
Yay! Daggerclaws is back! And yes, Indigo can talk to cats. She lived with one her entire life, sooo...
I would've gotten this out sooner, but I just got YouTube privileges (WAHOOOOOOOOO) and it distracted me.
Ooooooh, Tara has a mysterious past. Spooky scary.
I was listening to the coolest song while I was writing this. Odds and Ends, by Miku Hatsune. It's REALLY pretty.
Morro's references to hurting Lloyd were when, say, he tossed him into a river in Grave Danger. Not to mention beating him up in Winds of Change. As for mentally, I'm sure it's not fun being possessed.
I'm sure you all hate Tara now, for plotting to ruin our favorite Green Ninja and ghost boy's friendship. I know I do. Did you think the first part was cute? I did. :D
All you christians out there, please pray for my ex-friend, A (I don't think she'd like me giving out her name online). We were REALLY great friends a couple years ago, but she's not a christian, and I really want her to be saved. So, please pray.
And there you go! Hope you liked the chapter!
~FFF