Chapter 25: Wounds of Tension
Morro rises out of bed, tip-toeing out of his bedroom into the hallway. He passes by Kigaru's room, then Yuuma's, then Misako's, and finally Lloyd's, where the green ninja soundly slept. Then he enters Master Wu's room. Master Wu looks up from his steaming plate of tea and smiles.
"Welcome," Wu says. "You wish to consult me?"
"I guess," Morro shrugged, sitting down in front of him.
"You are troubled," Wu noted. "What have you buried within yourself?"
"I guess it's about Lloyd," Morro sighed. "He seems tense as if every step I take only makes him more furious and vengeful. Yesterday, he barked at me when I tried to show Yuuma how to hold his katana. The day before, he shooed me away when I gave Kigaru a favorite cooking recipe of mine. It's as if he hates me to the core."
"Hate is not what Lloyd feels," Wu nodded.
"Then what does he feel toward me? Sure, we weren't exactly friends in the past, but can't he at least move on from his sorrows and forgive me?"
"Forgiveness requires the emptying of self for the sake of others. This Lloyd has not yet learned. He is jealous of you, Morro."
"Jealous? Jealous of what?"
"Jealous that you are relating to his pupils. Jealous that his pupils respect you as much as him. Jealous that he and you are equals. He thinks you are trying to undermine his authority."
"That's ridiculous. I'd never try to undermine Lloyd's power. All I wish to do is supplement his training with my wisdom and experience."
"And that is why he is jealous."
"But shouldn't I be permitted to advise?"
Wu rose, picking up his pot of tea.
"Iron sharpens iron, and pupil sharpens pupil."
Later that morning, Kigaru and Yuuma stand in the training arena, listening as Lloyd instructed them in the art of kicking. Wu and Misako watched near the doorway, while Morro leaned against the wall behind them.
"They've come a long way," Misako told Wu.
"They have," Wu nodded.
"My son has done wonders to those children," Misako smiled. "His training is as sharp and effective as yours."
"Is it now," Wu winked. "Much wisdom Lloyd has learned, but much wisdom he has yet to discover. Even the master swordsman is vulnerable without a cloak of discernment to guard him."
Just then, Kigaru attempted a left hip kick at Lloyd, but missed and tripped onto her face.
"What kind of kick was that," Yuuma laughed. "And you call yourself a fighter."
"Yuuma," Lloyd scolded. "You apologize to Kigaru."
"Why should I," Yuuma questioned. "What I said is true."
"What you said insulted your friend," Lloyd remarked. "Apologize now."
Yuuma grumbled an apology, then helped Kigaru to her feet. They then proceeded with their training, performing kicks and punches with increasing accuracy. During one series of punches, Yuuma leaned too far forward, falling flat on his face.
"Are you okay," Kigaru asked, offering her hand.
"I'm fine," Yuuma grumbled. "I don't need your help."
"Yuuma, watch your attitude," Lloyd scolded. "You're really getting on my nerves with that sassiness of yours. I don't want another word from you."
"Fine," Yuuma grumbled. "Let's get this over with already."
"Hmm," Morro said to himself. "Seems like your son has more than martial arts to handle, Misako."
"What are you getting at," Misako questioned. "Are you trying to criticize my son's technique?"
"Lighten up," Morro shrugged. "You and Lloyd seriously need to cool it with me."
"Cool it," Misako retorted. "Why don't you cool it, you body-snatcher?!"
"Misako," Wu scolded. "Keep quiet. Morro only wants to impart wisdom. He means no harm."
"Try telling that to me when he possessed and nearly killed my son," Misako grumbled.
"Morro is a guest, not an enemy," Wu remarked. "You will treat him as such in my presence. Now Morro, what did you want to tell us?"
"If I may, Master, I sense that things are souring with Yuuma," Morro noted.
"How so," Wu asked.
"I mean, look at that kid's attitude," Morro answered. "He just treated Kigaru and Lloyd like garbage, even after they offered to help him up. It's like the kid views himself as a god and everyone else as his slaves."
"You assume too much," Wu chuckled. "You were once like Yuuma, vain, hot-tempered, and bitter, and I blame myself for the road you walked. But so was Lloyd for a time. If there is anyone who can handle Yuuma, it's Lloyd."
"I guess I'll concede," Morro nodded, "but if Lloyd fails to rein in Yuuma, then I will be obliged to intervene for his sake and mine."
"Tread lightly, my child," Wu sighed. "Narrow is the road Yuuma walks, and it is the guidance of others that decides his path. If you intervene, do so with care, lest he becomes what you used to be."
A loud rap on the gate interrupted everyone. Kigaru and Yuuma both tripped, while Wu rose to his feet.
"Are we expecting guests," Lloyd asked Wu.
"Not any that I invited," Wu answered. "Answer the door, but do so armed."
Lloyd nodded. He pulled out his katana, then strolled toward the door. With his spare hand, he opened the gate, keeping the katana firm in his right hand. Then he sighed. It was only the mailman, who was panting and gasping for breath.
"Hello there," Lloyd smiled, sheathing his katana. "We weren't expecting you."
"Master Lloyd," the mailman gasped. "I…I have mail for you. You…You really ought to install an elevator."
"Sorry for your troubles," Lloyd sighed. "What do you have for me?"
"Two letters, and this package," the mailman nodded, handing Lloyd the mail.
Lloyd thanked the mailman, then shut the door again. He carried the mail over to Wu, depositing it at his master's feet.
"Who's it for, son," Misako asked.
"Oh, right," Lloyd smiled. "Let's see. The letters are for you and me, and the package is for…Morro?"
"I have a package," Morro asked.
"I guess," Lloyd sighed. "Here."
Lloyd tossed Morro the package, then opened his letter.
"Seriously," Lloyd frowned, tossing the letter away. "Someone sued me for damages to their sushi shop in the docking bay."
"Can ninja be sued," Morro questioned. "I thought the city would be forgiving after you saved the city multiple times."
"I know, right," Lloyd sighed. "Sure, the guy's shop was totaled when Jay and Nya crashed into it, but he doesn't have to take me to court to rebuild it. Any luck with your mail, mom?"
"No, just another request for translation work," Misako sighed. "It seems that nobody can figure out that I retired from the practice after I reunited with you."
"Beats me how people think these days," Lloyd sighed. "What was in that package, by the way?"
Morro opened the packaged. Inside, they found a strange pot of tea, and a cloud of red mist hovering around it. Wu carefully lifted the pot out, then set it down on his chair. It hissed, then suddenly burst into pieces. Shards of glass flew everywhere, striking at those around the chair. Only Morro was not harmed, as the glass pieces simply passed through him into the wall. Then a parchment of paper fell out, landing right on top of Lloyd's foot.
"What's this," Lloyd shrugged.
"A message from the sender, perhaps," Morro noted. "What does it say?"
"You've been summoned," Lloyd replied, "summoned to appear before Master Yang at the Temple of Airjitzu."