Chapter 21: Poison in the Blood

Sky hated waiting. Impatience was the poison in his blood. He was surprised he was such a respected and tolerant leader when he could barely father his own to children without scolding them for every mistake they ever made.

Now his son's life was at stake, and he felt all the faults he ever made tumbling down onto him.

Priscilla sat in her seat with her eyes locked on Sky. She couldn't look away; watching him as he twitched with uneasiness, but she never dared utter a word.

Just beneath them, Cilla rested her head over her front paws and shut her eyes, hoping she'd see Kai again when she awoke.

The edgy stillness hung in the air for a few more minutes, then three teenagers and a little girl rushed inside the clinic.

"Any word?" Ash asked as she stooped down beside Sky.

"Nothing yet." Sky replied as calmly as a heartbroken father could.

Nya glanced up from her father to the strange woman seated beside him. "Daddy, who's that?"

Priscilla winced. Was this really her long lost daughter?

Sky kneeled to the ground next to his young daughter and sighed. "Nya, this is Priscilla. She's… she's your mother."

Nya gasped delightfully. "I have a mother?" Before Priscilla could even react, her daughter leapt into her lap and hugged her tightly. "Kai told me you were dead, but I always knew you were out there somewhere."

Priscilla simply smiled and wiped away her daughter's elated tears, barely able to hold in her own.

Minutes passed. Then an hour. Nothing.

Sky had sent Kai's friends home to relive their stress, and it seemed to be working, but to Sky, all the waiting for some meaningless words was just one stab in the heart after another.

Every second that passed, every minute, another sharp, emotional pain that at any moment could have Sky suffering a nervous breakdown.

Stab. Stab. Stab…

Nothing.

Stab. Stab. Stab…

Nothing.

Stab…

Something.

"Chief?"

Sky and Priscilla both glanced up from the floor. Erin and a few other healers stood before them, a light amount of blood staining their clothing.

"How is he?"

Erin half-heartedly smiled. "He's fine. In fact, he's talking with Ash right now. You can come see him if you'd like."

Sky didn't wait for Erin to finish before he leapt out his seat and dashed into the halls.

Priscilla hesitated, be soon followed.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" Erin stopped her part-way. "I'm sorry, but we can't let you in there. Due to the enemy village we are… in a feud with, we must only let healers and family in."

Priscilla was too exhausted to argue. But right as she was about to turn around, Sky snatched her hand and nodded to Erin. "Don't worry," The Chief said, almost in tears. "She's his mother."

And with that, the couple rushed into the hallways, listening closely for Ash's or Kai's voice. Just behind them, they her Erin call back to them, "Wait, isn't she dead?"

As soon as Sky found a room with a familiar affectionate laughter inside, he practically busted down the door to get inside.

And there was the blacksmith's son, leaning against a wall as both he and Ash gaped at Sky for breaking in. "You know, you could've just knocked." Kai said with a sly smile.

Letting every tear out, Sky sprinted to his beloved son and pulling him into a constricted, and slightly painful, embrace.

"Dad," Kai gasped, struggling for air as Sky hugged him tighter. "You're embarrassing yourself in front of Mom."

It was obvious at that point that Sky didn't care, or maybe he just didn't hear, that Kai had actually called his parents by their informal names… or that he was embarrassing himself. All he longed for was to show his son how much he was thankful that he still breathed.

Priscilla watched the entire scene unfold from the doorway, blushing underneath her silky brown hair that had been unkempt for years. She couldn't believe her luck. She was finally home…

"Kai!"

Priscilla was jolted from her thoughts when Nya ran in screaming her brother's name, laughing favorably… and sort of uncontrollably. Kai didn't hesitate to pull her into their awkward family cuddle.

She rested her head on his chest, sighed with satisfaction as she heard the strong and faithful beat of his heart that she had desired for so long.

Sky glanced up from his small family… to the one person that was about to join them. Wrapping his arms around his waist, he dragged Priscilla into the tight hug, and she returned it with tears of joy.

And soon enough, even Cilla leapt onto the bed and soaked Kai's face in drool.

The Nightingale clan was finally whole again. And it would forever and always be the same. They felt it in their hearts.

Hello, everyone! Hope you've all had a great day! Mine was really boring. -_-

So I'm FINALLY updating the Blacksmith's Son! It's been a while, I know! :P

For all those who read that story, I've also updated the Elemental Crystals (I updated last night!), and I'm planning on having the Edge of Tomorrow updated by tomorrow afternoon. If not, though, I have a five-day weekend after tomorrow, so I should have plenty of time. YAY! XD

Welp, I've got to do some language arts homework... so I've gotta jet! Hope you all have a good night or day! Hopefully I'll have the next chapter of the Edge of Tomorrow tonight! Luv u guys! :D

-HKM

P.S.: I have two more stories that are coming up! YAY! XD

As most of you know, after Thanksgiving, I will be uploading a new NinjaGo story called Home For the Holidays. It's about KAI! And Nya. But mostly KAI! XD

And after Christmas, or after I finish one of my stories, I will be uploading a novelization of the NinjaGo Papercutz Comic, Destiny of Doom! It's pretty self-explanatory. And unlike Night of the Nindroids, there will be NO twists or anything like that! I just wanted to novelize it! XD

Hope you guys like these ideas! If you do, let me know via PM's or reviews! If you don't... IDK. Thanks! Buh-bye!