Chapter 37- Yet her voice caught in her lips

Misako stared blankly at Garmadon and Wu. Her heart began beating painfully fast, her mind swirling around with screams of denial. She wanted to run back to the young mailman, run back and shove the letters into his tattered bag. She wanted to wrap Garmadon in her arms, to hide him away where no one could take him. She wanted to do a lot of things, yet her body wouldn't budge. Helplessness filled every inch of her, and all Misako managed to do was stand before the two most important people in her life, the two only people in her life, with her green eyes holding unshed tears.

"Well," Garmadon shrugged, hiding his fear back with a nonchalant face. "Guess we better get to packing."

Wu looked up at his older brother, whose tall frame still shadowed him. "I don't. . . I don't want to go."

"We have to," Garmadon growled. " Now come on,"

Misako's voice finally returned to her. " No! Garmadon you can't! You. . . You have to stay! You can't . . . You can't leave me. . ."

As Misako's voice faded away into sobs, Garmadon held her against his chest. She breathed in and out, trying to find peace in the strong heartbeat emanating from the crimson-eyed man's chest. "I'll be fine Misako. We'll be fine. I mean, how many people do you think will know spinjitzu? We have the upper hand here."

Misako whimpered, her head nodding slowly.

"We've been training to fight all our lives. Wouldn't surprise me if we ended up beating everybody in a day." Garmadon forced a cocky smile.

Misako vanquished the tears from her face with the back of her hand. "I suppose you're right. . ."

"Of course I am," He placed a tender kiss on Misako's lips. " I'll be back before you know it."

"But. . . ," Even though she was a bit reassured, Misako still refused to allow Garmadon to leave her. "What if. . . Something happens here. . . What if I get in trouble?"

Garmadon's eyes shifted as he tried to keep his annoyance in check. "Misako, you know you're more than capable of taking care of yourself. . . Look if you really need me, I'll come back for you."

Misako sighed, knowing she should not push him once his mind had been made. " You. . . You promise?"

"Yes . . . I promise." He pushed a string of Misako's hair away from her face, planting another kiss on her lips. " Now may I pack my things?"

"Yeah. . ."

"Thank you," Garmadon walked back inside the monastery, nudging Wu forward, forcing him to follow.

Misako stood there, removing her glasses to wipe away any stray tears that escaped her before. She fixed her long braid with shaking hands, then she place her glasses back upon her green eyes. Once she was sure she wouldn't convert into a crying mess again, she trotted back into the monastery, her trembling legs taking Misako into Wu's room.

"Oh hey. . . " Wu threw another piece of cloth into a small bag, his movements slow and reluctant. "Guess we'll be going soon. . . "

"I really wish you guys would simply stay."

"Me too. . . but hey I guess this is another chance for me to be a hero." Wu shrugged.

"Promise me you'll protect Garmadon. . ."

"Ha wouldn't it be the other way around?" Wu chuckled nervously. " He's a better fighter. . . He'll probably survive with no problem. . ."

"I'm just . . . a bit scared for him. The moment I figured out what those stupid letters were, I just chocked up with worry. . . If something happened to him. . ."

"Yes okay I get it, we're all worried about Garmadon, poor Garmadon he's going to war boo hoo. . ." Wu slung the bag over his shoulder. "It's not like anyone needs to worry about Wu. Not like you'd miss me or anything."

"I. . . I'm worried about you too it's just. . ."

"You care more about Garmadon I get it." Wu looked away from Misako, determined not to show the pain glinting in his eyes. He sighed, not wanting to talk about feelings with her. "Anyway. . . you need to tell him."

"Tell him?"

"Before he goes."

"Tell him wha- Oh. . That," Misako hugged herself, her arms pressing against her stomach.

"He needs to know," Wu headed out the door, and Misako followed, her breath quickening when she spotted Garmadon. He was leaning against the wall, his maroon hair swooping upwards just above his eyes.

Misako bit her tongue, the sharp pain bringing her mind back to the present. Back to what she needed to do.

"Please don't cry again. . . " Garmadon pleaded as Misako wrapped her arms tightly around him.

"I'm not. . . . Just stay safe,"

"I will Misako, " He pushed the door open.

Wu glared at Misako, his eyes staring her down accusingly, his lips mouthing two terrifying words. Tell him.

Tell him.

Misako opened her mouth, watching as Garmadon walked further away. She breathed in and out, trying to push the words out of her throat, trying to ignore her panicked heartbeat.

Yet her voice caught in her lips.