A/N: I only own my OCs! Hope you read and enjoy!

Chapter 25

**Arwyn's POV

It's curious how the daylight usually makes problems from the previous night seem not quite as bad. However, when you get up before the chickens, you don't have that to help your mood. Such was my state when I joined everyone for breakfast with my slightly puffy eyes.

In opposition to mine, Cole's mood was sunny and bright. In fact, his attitude was making me a bit ill as he happily greeted me at the table with a cup of coffee fixed just the way I liked it. Hmmph. He notices stuff like that?

I tried to be better at concealing my feelings, but I usually tended to have a hard time doing that when I was upset, so I just mumbled my thanks and sat to wait my turn to serve myself. I wondered how he could be so freakin' cheery when I had pretty much lost my hope of being with him.

He would have had to have been blind not to have picked up on my mood. "Arwyn, what's bothering you this morning?" he asked worriedly, pausing in his slathering of a biscuit with blackberry jam.

"Nothing, not a thing," I tried to lie convincingly and fabricated a smile as I added a scoop of scrambled eggs to my plate. "I just didn't sleep very well." That wasn't a lie.

He frowned a bit. "I'm sorry to hear that. I hope that doesn't mess up your whole day."

Oh, that's already been taken care of. "I'm sure I'll manage. No need to worry about me." He didn't give the impression of being satisfied with my response as his brows knitted. Oh, well.

I glimpsed Chichi on my left meditatively sipping his oolong with bergamot while he silently observed me over the rim of his cup, his brow furrowed. What the heck is he seeing?!

Casting my eyes down at my plate, I tried to think of something that I could do to make myself feel better as Cole and the others chatted quietly, gradually waking up over their breakfasts.

One thing that I thought might help me, at least for the time being, was our morning run since it tended to relieve stress, get rid of nervous energy, and make me feel better about myself. When we were running, I could go over things that were on my mind if the guys weren't being chatty, or completely empty my consciousness and just listen to them breathe.

It was especially enjoyable the last couple of days since Sensei had ordered the Bounty moved northwest of our original location to an area west of Ninjago City near the edge of the Sea of Sand. A mixed forest of hardwoods and evergreens began near our docking point.

I had been so excited to see trees! I had grown up on the northern edge of the Forest of Tranquility and missed the cool, verdant haven. And I hated the desert.

We were still less than an hour from Ninjago City, so obtaining supplies was not hindered by our change of scenery, and Zane had not objected, since he could still easily visit Sofiya. God forbid he should not be able to touch her for more than twenty-four hours!

I was also hoping that we may soon have an opportunity for her to be allowed to come for a visit, or that I could at least get a break from my floating wooden stockade to meet her.

When we had docked in the new spot the day before yesterday, or 'All Pranks Day', Cole had taken the team on a short scouting mission to check the area for potential problems. And, of course, although I protested in vain, he insisted I stay behind.

I had hung over the starboard railing the entire time they were gone, staring at the enchanting woodland, yearning to slip into the shaded undergrowth amongst the tall, rough tree trunks and glory in being beneath the sheltering canopy.

Once they had come back from scouting, knowing I was dying to get into the forest, Cole had suggested we all go back for a short walk along an animal trail they had come across on the periphery of the wooded land. I would have loved to have kissed him for that! Actually, I'd just love to kiss him…

When we had gotten down there, it had been so comforting to me to smell the tangy pine and earthy humus, hear the engaging sounds of birdsong and small, skittering animals, and see the dazzling mosaic created by sunbeams cutting through the treetops. It had been absolutely divine!

We had only been out there for little more than half an hour, when Cole said it was time to return to the ship. As usual, the guys had ignored me when I informed them that I was not ready to leave the lush sanctuary.

So I had decided to make my stand in the center of the trail. "Please, couldn't we stay just a few minutes longer?" I implored Cole with the saddest puppy-dog eyes I could muster.

Barely giving me a second glance, Cole had noted the position of the sun, then checked his comlink watch, and shook his head as Jay, Kai, and Zane started back up the trace. "There're only a couple of hours of daylight left, we still have chores to do before suppertime, and I'm cooking tonight. We need to get back now."

Peeved, I had narrowed my eyes at him and spun on my heel in the opposite direction, continuing down the footpath, while sending obstinately over my shoulder, "Well, I'm not ready to go yet."

He had stepped up quickly behind me, his boots crunching in the fallen twigs and leaves. "And I'm not arguing," was all he had said before I felt his firm hand on my arm, jerking me to a standstill, and whirling me around to face him.

I had caught a glimpse of the determined look in his eyes, accompanied by the upward curve of one corner of his mouth, a split-second before he ducked down and pulled me over his right shoulder. Straightening as he lifted me with ease, he quickly and effortlessly trotted to catch up to the other turncoats.

Startled, I dangled over his muscular, unarmored shoulder a moment as I stared at his equally-muscular, black-clad derriere, seeing the ground moving under us. Realizing suddenly that I was being handled like a sack of rice, I struggled to right myself and slide off of his shoulder, while protesting huffily, "Put me down now, you brute! I can walk, you know!"

He only tightened his grip more securely where his right arm held my thighs. "Oh, what, so you can run in the other direction again, I suppose?" he countered, barely panting as he loped after the guys.

How dare he…! I stopped struggling, lifted the hem of his jacket, and grabbed the waistband of his pants with one hand while reaching for his Nice! Purple boxer briefs! with the other. "Arwyn, no wedgies," he warned with an unamused tone.

That's what you think! Chuckling wickedly, I snatched the elastic of his glute-hugging boxer briefs, pulling it away from his skin, and catching a tantalizing glimpse of his firm, round bottom. OMG!

"Arwyn! No!" Screeching to a stop in the trail did him no good as I pulled hard and fast on my fistful of soft, purple fabric. "Dammit, dammit, dammit! Why did you have to go and do that?!" he yelled as he reached back with his left hand, attempting to grab my offending one.

Not releasing my hold on his unmentionables, I tried swatting his grasping hand away with my free one, but he kept intruding, so I finally grabbed his arm by the wrist, and held on tight.

So there we were. He held me securely by the thighs over his right shoulder with his arm while I held his undies even more securely in my left hand. My right hand gripped his left wrist behind his waist, and, although he struggled to free himself, I wasn't letting go. Hmm, I must be getting stronger to be able to restrain the Master of Earth…

Squirming in his uncomfortable predicament, Cole barked at me as I laughed hysterically. "Arwyn, let go! Let go of my shorts! NOW!"

Taking a breath, I yelled back, "Not unless you put me down!"

"I'm not putting you down to run off! You're hur-ting me! Let go!"

"Oh, poor baby! Put me down!" I pulled a little harder on the stretchy material.

He writhed more, turning in a circle in the path. "Arwyn! Let go, or else!"

"Or else, what?!" I challenged, twisting his arm behind him a bit more just to increase his annoyance.

I had heard the collective snickering of the rest of the team who had joined us as Cole had danced his jig. Now I could see their boots as they surrounded us on the trail, laughing merrily.

Cole stopped his wriggling and commanded, "Kai!"

Kai? I thought right before I felt a hard, stinging blow full on my left buttock. "OWW!" I yelled out, reflexively straightening up and releasing Cole's wrist and his briefs at the same time.

Before I knew it, I was suddenly standing on my own two feet, staring with surprise into the reddened face of an irate and scowling ninja leader. Howls of laughter were coming from our red, white, and blue brothers standing nearby.

From between gritted teeth, Cole hissed at me with a nasty sneer, "You had better run for that ship like you just stole something!" as he reached behind him to jerk his wadded lingerie from his fine tush.

Believe me, I beat even Jay to that anchor chain.

Overnight, however, I had gotten my revenge by getting them all up earlier than usual with my two-alarm prank.

The next morning after breakfast, we had returned to the woods and run the winding path, going farther than the afternoon previously. The trail cut deeper into the immense copse, sending us over low rises, across gurgling rills, and around marshy spots, as we ducked under hanging branches and jumped over fallen trees. It was exhilarating and relaxing at the same time!

At one point, as I was following Jay and Zane, I had screeched to a sudden halt, causing Kai to nearly run over me, while Cole ran into him. The two behind me had naturally reacted with annoyance.

We had come upon a small meadow just larger than the Bounty's main deck, filled with dew-covered grasses and ferns, with a scattering of purple violets and yellow wild flowers here and there. The sun's first golden rays slanted through the trees of the surrounding forest, casting a bewitching glow over the idyllic scene.

"This …is so beautiful," I murmured as I stood on the edge of the mesmerizing glade with an intense sense of awe and homesickness. When I turned to Cole, he was staring out over the clearing with a far-away look, his face more flushed than it usually was during a run. "Can we stay here a while?"

"Uh…" He faced away from me and his other teammates, ran a hand through his sweat-dampened locks, and, to my disappointment, mumbled, "No, we need to finish our run and get back to the Bounty. We'll run by here again tomorrow." I hoped he could feel my glare burning into the back of his head.

That had been yesterday, on the morning before the 'bathroom incident'. Now I was ready to go out there again, and, hopefully, get them to stay a little longer. I seriously needed some soul-soothing.

As breakfast came to an end, Sensei stood from his seated position and looked at everyone seated at the table with a crinkle around his eyes and announced, "You've all been working so hard without complaining, that I believe it is time you had a break."

His eyes rested on the ninja leader as he continued, "Today will be one of leisure for you all. I want you off of this ship and in Ninjago City or elsewhere!"

A round of cheers sounded from everyone at the table, except for Cole who had a small, satisfied smile and, obviously, me. Right away, everyone started making plans for what they wanted to accomplish between now and suppertime.

Whoopee. Now I have to go make nice with this mood while everyone enjoys a day in the city. Maybe I can at least go cry on Sofiya's shoulder while I'm there. If I can pry her away from Zane. I grimaced. Like I need to be around a blissful couple in love right now.

Keeping things under control, Cole quickly reminded the group that any chores pending needed to be taken care of first. I didn't have anything left over from yesterday, so I knew what I needed and wanted to do before we left.

As we all picked up our plates to take them to the kitchen, I approached Cole. "I'd really like to take a run in the woods before we leave. Do you think we could do that?"

He immediately thwarted my plans when he answered with regret, "I'm sorry, Arwyn, but I have a couple of things to take care of before we can go. I don't think we'll have time. We'll definitely go tomorrow morning, though." Patting me on the shoulder encouragingly, he turned to go into the kitchen.

"I need to go now, not tomorrow," I grumbled in a low voice as I followed him to the sink.

Two minutes later, I was pestering Kai as he gathered the garbage from various trash receptacles. "Are you kidding, Arwyn? Running on a day we don't have to train? I don't think so!" He regarded me skeptically. "Besides, I have this to do, then I'm getting ready to get out of here. You should be doing the same." I didn't answer him as I grumpily stomped away.

Zane and Jay gave me the same types of excuses when I requested the pleasure of their presences on the forest trail, sending my already-low mood into blacker depths. I think it was at that point that something inside me snapped.

That's it. That's frickin' it! I'm tired of having no freedom and not being able to do things that I want to do when I want to do them! I'm sick of having to ask for permission and getting turned down! I feel like a freakin' prisoner in a stupid tower, and not even the royal kind! And, after last night, I can forget about my Prince Charming rescuing me when he's actually just my chief jailer!

I made my way up to the main deck and rebelliously eyed the nearby forest, the treetops golden with the rising sun. After a moment, I said out loud, "I'm going running."

Hurrying up to the bridge while trying to seem nonchalant, I found Nya stationed there, working on a confusing-looking jumble of metal bits and pieces. I sidled over to her while checking out the quiet radar. "Hey, Nya, whatcha doin'? Why aren't you getting ready to go to Ninjago City?"

Looking up from her project, she replied amiably, "I'm just working on a prototype for a modification to my samurai suit. I had this awesome idea hit me at breakfast and wanted to try something before getting ready to leave."

"Really?" I responded dubiously, feeling more than a little inadequate in that department, as I watched her place the baffling pieces together while doing a little soldering here and there. Truth be told, I was so mechanically–disinclined that there were times when I felt I could barely manage a plastic building-brick set.

"Looks… interesting," I started. "Um, will you be in here for the next half hour or so?"

"Oh, yeah! It'll be at least that long before I finish with this and go change to head out." She turned her attention to a part that tumbled to the floor.

"So-o…you'll also be keeping an eye on the radar?" I inquired hopefully.

Retrieving the fallen piece, she sighed, "As usual."

'Twas all I needed to know. "Okay, cool! Uh, there's something I need to do, so I'll get out of your hair, and see you later!" I said quickly as I scurried out of the bridge and made for below deck.

Everyone else was also taking care of business below, so when I ran back up to the main deck less than five minutes later, I didn't even bother to try to hide. In my tank top, fitted capris, and trail-running shoes, with a Shuriken of Ice strapped to each upper arm, I made for the anchor chain and descended without hesitation.

Dropping from a height of about ten feet, I landed on the sand running swiftly and smoothly for the forested border, not slowing down until I hit the trail. Filled with elation at my moment of freedom, I prepared to enjoy my run in the forest, knowing they couldn't stop me now.

**Cole's POV

That should do it, I thought with satisfaction as I turned off the vacuum cleaner and surveyed the game room. And if Jay and Lloyd weren't such pigs with their snacks, this wouldn't have taken as long as it did. Maybe I should ban eating in the game room…Nah, I like to eat in here, too.

Now that this was done, I could go change into a T-shirt and jeans, gather Arwyn and the others, and we could take off for Ninjago City.

Winding the cord around its holder on the vacuum, I thought about the abbreviated apology I had tried to stammer out to Arwyn the night before for nearly molesting her in the guys' bathroom.

Although I wasn't sorry for what had happened, or almost happened, since I wanted badly to be with her, I had wanted to let her know that I wasn't meaning to be like Kita or Keiji, selfishly aiming to take whatever I could get from her. I wanted her. I wasn't sure how she had taken that, but I had to offer it.

And as for Keiji… Now I had a name. When I was able to get over to Miyagi, I intended to look him up. I didn't think there was a statute of limitations on breaking someone's heart to the point where they had trouble trusting anyone else, so he would be fair game.

During my awkward apology, I got interrupted when I noticed the sliver of light under Sensei's door go out, and had to cut things short with Arwyn. I had wanted to present him with my request that we all get a day off. We needed a break, and I knew it was time for Arwyn to visit Sofiya.

It was time for her to see her parents, too, but Sensei wasn't ready to leave the area, and Arwyn hadn't asked to invite them here, so I could only wait and see.

Anyway, I was planning on taking her to Ninjago City for a little R&R, visiting Sofiya, and having lunch in a nice café, or picking up stuff for a picnic in the park, if she preferred.

I really wanted to tell her how I felt about her as soon as possible, but I didn't want to do it publicly, just in case she didn't respond the way I hoped she would.

That's why I was also planning to take her this evening before sundown to the forest glade we had found. She was enamored with the place, and I had had a great dream in a similar setting, so I felt it would be the perfect spot to bare my heart and soul.

And if she chose to stomp on my heart, I could always bury it next to the violets.

Rolling the vacuum down the hall to the cleaning-supply closet, I noted the patter of smaller running feet before I saw Lloyd coming toward me. "Cole! Is it okay if I go with you to Ninjago City? Huh? Please?" He bounced slightly up and down in front of me, like he was doing the I-gotta-pee dance. The pleading tone in his voice showed on his face. "Uncle said it's fine with him if it's alright with you!"

I wasn't very keen on that idea and cringed inwardly. Not because of Lloyd personally, but a tag-along would definitely throw a wrench in the gears as far as my plans with Arwyn were concerned. Thanks a lot, Sensei Wu.

Opening the closet door between us, I performed a silent scream as I returned the vacuum to its place, then closed the door and faced Lloyd with a smile. "Uh, sure, no problem." I was thinking fast for an alternative. "But if you come, prepare to possibly get stuck with Kai if I need to do something alone, okay?" Heh.

The boy looked at me with a little uncertainty, but responded slowly, "Oh-kay. So long as I can come." Ah, little brothers.

"I intend to leave in about thirty minutes, so you'd better be ready," I informed him as he ran past me to the bunkroom. "No problem! I'll be ready in five minutes!" he answered as the door swung shut.

Continuing along the passageway to Arwyn's room, I thought about how her mood this morning seemed a little out-of-character and hoped that a day in Ninjago City would help improve it. I didn't need anything to lower my odds when I talked to her this evening.

Knocking on her door, I quietly called her name, but, getting no response, I pushed the door open to find the room in a state of disarray, which was not like her. The bed was unmade, and a drawer hung open from the chest of drawers with clothes hanging from it. Her evergreen jacket, pants, and fitted undershirt, as well as her boots, were scattered over the bed and floor.

Hmm…Apparently she's changed already. And was in a big hurry. Was she waiting on the main deck? After checking the infirmary, I hopped up the stairs to let her know I would only be a few more minutes, then we could leave, although it was still really early by city standards.

Not seeing her anywhere, I was about to go back down to search for her when I looked up to the quarterdeck and spotted Nya and Zane through the prow-facing windows of the bridge. Maybe Arwyn was hanging out with them up there.

After taking the steps to the quarterdeck two at a time, I arrived at the door of the bridge where I found Nya and Zane standing alone, their backs to me as they studied the radar. Nya was saying, "…Cole doesn't need to know about this."

Zane nodded. "I agree. She is on the way back already. I would prefer not to tell him if we do not have to do so."

My brows knit in question right before I spied the falcon-view screen next to the radar with its single blip. There was a bird's-eye view of Arwyn running happily along the forest trail…alone. She lifted her head and smiled, dodged a branch, and tossed a little wave in the falcon's direction as it approached her from the front, then soared over her head.

"Son of a bitch!" I blurted loudly, causing Nya and Zane to whirl to face me in alarm. "Oh, crud," I heard Nya mutter as I stared in livid disbelief at the rectangular monitor. It suddenly went black, and I shifted my gaze to my guilty-looking, nindroid brother. "Put it back on," I ordered firmly through gritted teeth. My good mood was definitely shot to hell.

Raising a hand in an effort to settle me down, Zane began quickly, "Cole, we…"

"Now, Zane!" I barked more insistently. Without further argument, the screen lit up again with Arwyn's leaping figure clearing a narrow gully as the falcon approached from her left, obviously circling overhead.

Keeping my eyes on the monitor, I quizzed her accomplices. "How long has she been out? And how long have you known about this?" The two shared a furtive glance.

Nya spoke first. "She's probably been gone less than thirty minutes. It was about that long ago that she came up here and asked if I would be in the bridge awhile."

"When I came in approximately seven minutes ago, I noted the non-threatening movement on the radar. Nya remembered her conversation with Arwyn at that time, and I sent the falcon out to meet her." He shuffled, obviously uncomfortable with this. "I could see she was on the way home, and she has my shurikens. I did not think it was necessary to…"

Not letting him finish, I spun abruptly toward the door and strode determinedly for the quarterdeck railing. Reaching it, I gripped it hard and bellowed for Jay. Within seconds, he was on the main deck, saluting me energetically with a grin. "You rang, skipper?"

I ignored his antics. "Arwyn is alone on the north leg of the trail! Go get her!" I demanded, still gripping the railing.

He assumed a quizzical look, then, oddly, cocked an eyebrow and grinned again. "'Alone', you say! Are you sure you don't want to go…?"

What the…? "You're the fastest runner, and I'm too upset right now to talk to her! Go!"

"Why is she alone?" he asked with a little confusion as he trotted toward the starboard railing.

"Just get her…and bring her back…as soon as possible," I growled slowly, running a hand through my hair.

He gestured to his floral-print camp shirt and cargo shorts. "Okay, but I was all ready…" Seeing the look on my face, he thought better of finishing his comment and slid wordlessly over the railing to begin the descent on the anchor chain.

Zane met me as I watched Jay sprint across the sandy expanse between the Bounty and the wooded land. "Cole, be calm, and try to understand why she may have done this," he said soothingly. "She struggles with her loss of independence and …"

Swiveling in his direction and gesturing emphatically, I burst out, "I know this, Zane! I've known this from the moment she was told she had to be protected, on the first night we met! But it still remains that she has to be guarded, and she is blatantly defying us, putting herself at risk, and disregarding the rules!"

Narrowing his icy-blue gaze at me, my brother in white gave me the impression that he felt I was at fault for reacting in such a way. As Nya appeared at his side, I lowered my voice and leveled a question at him, pointing a finger at his chest. "How would you react if that was Sofiya out there?"

Zane's eyes barely flickered, even as Nya's widened at the fact that I was insinuating a personal concern for Arwyn. "Just as you are doing now," he answered quietly, fully understanding my meaning.

A/N: (I know you're thinking, "She said this was gonna end a couple of chapters ago." Well, I'm finding more to write! Hope that's OK and nobody's getting too bored yet!) Review, please! Puppy's still hungry! *woof*