This will be one of several stories in a series called Pouring Out. These stories will center around untold events in the past of some of my favorite characters.

"Now that I have opened that bottle of memories, they're pouring out like wine, crimson and bittersweet." - Ellen Hopkins

The Scar

Since Kai returned from the First Realm, he and Skylor had grown closer. When he wasn't training with the other ninja, he was with Skylor. In fact, it had become a very common occurrence for Kai's room to sit empty most nights.

It was a typical Friday night and the couple had stayed in and watched movies and enjoyed each other's company. With her head resting on Kai's chest, Skylor absent-mindedly traced the scar across Kai's eye as he quietly snoozed. As long as she's known him, he has always had the scar. It has always just been a part of him. Part of what makes Kai, well, Kai. But she was curious. She had never actually asked him about it. He never seemed self-conscious about it. Kai never seems self-conscious about anything.

"Hey, Kai?" Skylor asked softly. "Can I ask you something?"

Kai stirred, "Hmm…yeah, sure, you can ask me anything."

"How did you get your scar, you know, the one over your eye?"

"Oh, that, well would you believe it was a drunken bar brawl?" Kai said with a smirk.

"Kai, I know that isn't true; you've had that scar since I met you and you were much too young to be involved in a drunken bar fight," Skylor replied. "Please, can you tell me what really happened?"

"Ok, ok. I was just kidding about a bar fight. But that would be a way cooler story than the truth; it isn't anything terribly exciting," Kai sighed.

"Well, that may be the case, but it's part of you and I want to know about you," Skylor said, looking up at him, amber eyes imploring him to tell her more. It was a look Kai just couldn't refuse.

"When I was little, before Krux and Acronix kidnapped my parents, my mom used to take me up to the roof to look at the stars. I loved stargazing with my mom. She would point out some of the constellations and in our little village, you could see so many stars in the sky. Our village in Ignacia was far enough from Ninjago City that there wasn't any light pollution. Anyway, after my parents disappeared, I decided one night that I was going to go up to the roof and see the stars. Nya was only four at the time and she didn't try to stop me. In fact, she wanted to come with me. So, remembering how Mom and I had climbed to our spot, I climbed up with Nya in tow. It was a beautiful early autumn evening. I remember there was a slight chill in the air and Nya was getting cold. I told her to stay where she was and I would get her a coat. As I was heading down, I lost my footing and started to fall. I reached out and tried to grab a hold of the roof, but I missed and as I fell, I hit the corner of the house. Nya was so scared. She carefully made her way down, just the way I had showed her, and came running to my aid. Thankfully I didn't break an arm or a leg, but there was a large gash across my eye and a lot of blood. I was lucky I didn't lose my eye. Nya helped me up and got me inside and helped me clean and bandage it up. She was very adept at knowing what to do in a situation like that, even at four. I honestly don't know what I would have done without her around. Anyway, that's the story. Told ya it wasn't anything exciting."

"Oh, Kai," Skylor said quietly.

Kai continued. "After it happened, I was so mad at myself. I thought, what a stupid thing to do, climbing on the roof just to see some stupid stars. I had endangered not only myself, but Nya. We only had each other and it was my responsibility to look after her and protect her. Some protector I was, almost getting myself killed because I wanted to look at the sky." Skylor could tell he hadn't thought about this event in a long time. She almost regretted asking her question, but before she could say anything, Kai spoke again.

"After the fall, the gash took a really long time to heal and I knew it would scar. Believe it or not, I used to be self-conscious about it. Kids at school used to call me mean names. But over time, the name calling stopped; I accepted it as just a part of me and focused on other things."

"Like your hair?" Skylor joked, hoping to lighten the mood.

Kai laughed, "Yes, like my hair. Who could pick on a kid with awesome hair like mine, right?"

Kai paused, lost in thought. "I do miss seeing the stars. I mean, I love living in the city, but the night sky just isn't the same as it was in Ignacia."

"Do you miss Ignacia?" Skylor asked.

"Sometimes. But there isn't anything left for me there. And now that Mom and Dad have returned, they are living there and running the blacksmith shop. I do visit once and awhile. As you know, the ninja and I are working on rebuilding Wu's monastery. Maybe once we move back in there, I'll do some stargazing again."

Kai looked over at Skylor, wanting to stay in this moment forever, with her. "I know the monastery is further away, but I'll still come stay with you when I can."

"Kai, it's ok. I understand that you need to be with your team. No worries, I'm not going anywhere," Skylor reassured him. "You know, I would love to go stargazing with you sometime. Maybe some night we can head to the outskirts of town and look at the stars."

"I think that would be a great idea. Thanks, Skylor. I'm glad you asked…about my scar…I haven't really told anyone about it until now. I don't even know if Nya remembers what happened."

"You can tell me anything, Kai. Thank you for sharing," Skylor replied.

"Next time, you can tell me something deeply personal about yourself," Kai joked. "But for now, it's time to sleep. Good night, my love."

Kai leaned over and kissed Skylor's forehead. Pulling her close, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

"Good night, Kai. I love you, too," Skylor said softly as she nodded off, happy that she had asked her question after all.