Author's Note: This chapter took some time, because of my inept ability to portray Zane correctly. VelvetPersona's take on Zane's anatomy and physiology structure is very accurate from before he was warped, so I've had some much needed coaching from her. Thank you very much, peaches.
Unexpected
By: Mad Betrayal
"Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend…"—Albert Camus
Chapter 10 ~ Once Frozen; Now Melting
"Here Zane, let me get that for you."
The white ninja gave a slight start. He was so deep in thought previously that he didn't notice the fire ninja beside him.
"Oh, thank you, Kai."
Breakfast—courtesy of Zane—had just ended, and everyone who was seated had already dispersed to different parts of the Bounty. All except for Kai. Zane snuck a glance at the casually smirking, spiky-haired man beside him as they cleared the table.
Until a few months ago, Zane's behavior towards Kai had always been amicable. But now, the nindroid had begun to feel differently. Kai's fiery spirit had always intrigued him, leaving a lasting impression on the ice ninja. He was cunning and instinctual, the pure embodiment of "act first, ask questions never".
But it was more than just curiosity that drove Zane to seek out more of Kai's companionship. The Master of Fire had a very sensuous allure, one that burned Zane's frozen core from the inside out. Keep in mind though that Zane's transition from inquisitiveness to attraction hadn't been whimsical with bubbly hearts exploding by his head. Zane breathed a soft sigh. No, it had been downright taxing.
He often wondered if it was normal to feel—for lack of a better word—envious of one who emitted such an enticing heat. Was he just an icy, robotic moth who had been tempted to fly closer to what could be his undoing? Or was he just the reincarnation of the renowned Icarus who flew too close to the sun on wings of frost instead of wax? Yes, the Ninja of Ice was doomed to melt before his brother of fire. But even while knowing all of this…a part of Zane wanted to get burned. So was the presumed consequence of his fatal attraction.
Zane kept his composure and gathered the many dishes on a tray with methodical indifference. There was just one too many serious conundrums with his attraction towards Kai. He had discovered through the use of his internal database that social conventions dictated that male/male relationships were considered taboo, and were usually frowned upon by the general public. And worst still, Kai was an organic life-form, while he was…well not. So as far as Zane saw his predicament, he should just forget about his feelings since he was screwed either way.
Which is what he had chosen to do, it's what he had told himself and Jay anyway…
Zane turned and headed for the kitchen with Kai following close behind. He deposited the dishes into the sink and Kai did the same. Zane took the initiative to start the dishwater in the neighboring sink.
"So your favorite time of the year is coming up, eh?" Kai commented, his golden-amber eyes burning bright as he peered at the white ninja.
Zane regarded his opposite coolly and dipped his head with a small smile. "Hm, indeed it is. As we all know it is your most loathed time of year."
Kai shrugged. "Hey, I have nothing against Christmas. I just don't like certain things about the holiday."
Zane kept his smile in place as he eyed his friend's twitching eyebrow. "Such as elves and gingerbread men."
"Yeah…" Kai mumbled, looking like he ate something sour.
Zane chuckled lightly at his expression, not noticing Kai take an unperceivable step closer toward him. "As well as the rapid decrease in temperature. The snow falls heavy in this hemisphere and can be somewhat overwhelming to some."
"Nah, not so much anymore," Kai countered good-naturedly. "While I do agree that snow and ice can be a bit much sometimes, most of the time…I find it to be more beautiful than anything else."
Zane gave pause, his hands in the midst of mixing the soap and hot water. A pulse of heat ran through his circuitry, but he managed to recover with nary a hitch in his speech. "I see… Well I am glad you find winter's touch to be so aesthetically pleasing, Kai."
"Oh yeah…" Kai murmured, his tone distant. "Very pleasing…"
More divine heat was sent through every wire in Zane's matrix at the fire ninja's insinuating pitch, and the ice wielder felt compelled to turn his head to look at Kai. And the red ninja was staring right at him. And although his smirk was lax, his golden gaze was intense and piercing. Zane was spellbound, and his keen hazel optics flickered downward just in time to see a pick muscle peek-out between comely, thin lips and quickly moisten the top before retreating back into its home.
The Master of Ice suddenly found it difficult to produce saliva for a moment.
"Haven't you ever seen the Northern Lights reflect off the icy tundra of Dohma? It's mesmerizing." Kai's voice was so pleasant and deep.
Zane blinked. "Dohma? You mean the lands we traversed in order to reach the place where the Shurikens of Ice were kept? You remember?"
The white ninja was clearly astonished, but Kai just grinned. "Of course I remember," he chuckled. "I'll always remember every adventure we go on. It kinda sucked though that we couldn't stay in that area longer." His eyes became slighted hooded as he reflected back to the past. "It was like fire on the ice."
Amazing how such a simple, innocent phrase could sound so provocative. Zane repeated it, the words low and tantalizing on his tongue. "Fire on the ice…" Then, as an afterthought he added, "…Yes…it did kinda suck…that we couldn't stay longer…"
Kai's grin gave way to an amused smirk. "Zane?"
The ice ninja's recovery wasn't so smooth this time as he stuttered out of his trance. "Ah! I-I-I mean—what I mean to say is…" Zane's hands moved much too quickly, and he accidently splashed him and Kai both with soapy water when he reached over to start putting in the dishes from the other sink—a rather sloppy attempt to save face.
"Whoa now, calm down, Diamond Dust." Kai grabbed a hold of Zane's wet hands and pulled them out of the water. "What's got you so wired?"
"My apologies…" Zane shook his head in an attempt to clear it. There were only a few instances during his long life that his emotions got the better of him. He had to be more careful. No matter what Kai said, did, or called him, he couldn't let his feelings show. Although…
Diamond Dust… Warmth was creeping its way back into his system, but he forcefully demolished it with frigid frost.
"My apologies, Kai," he repeated, cool stoicism back in place. "What I wanted say was…New Ninjago City is having their annual Christmas Jubilee. And I think I am going to ask Jay to accompany me to watch the parade from the rooftops this year."
A sudden frown marred Kai's face. "What? Why Jay? I'll take you. We'll have a great time."
"But Kai, what about your phobias?" Zane asked with concern. "The parade will most likely have your fears present…and probably even in life-size."
"That doesn't matter." Golden-amber locked with pure hazel. "I'll take you, okay?"
Zane was at a loss. Kai was being very persistent for some reason and it baffled him. It was then that he felt a tender squeeze to his hands and his gaze lowered in shock.
Why is he still holding my hands…? His mouth opened and his words were strangled from his throat. "But…what about—!" At that moment, Zane felt his senses prick, and he hurriedly jerked out of Kai's grasp and backed away from him.
"Zane?"
The ice ninja glanced nervously over at the double doors just before they swung open to reveal…Lloyd. Presenting the final and most intimidating conundrum that keeps Zane from acting on his feelings for Kai: the Green Ninja of Creation.
"Hey, Zane," Lloyd greeted pleasantly and the nindroid acknowledged the youngest of the brotherhood with a polite yet stiff incline of his head.
"Hello, Lloyd."
And that was all that was spoken between the two shinobi, for the blond immediately averted his attention to the red ninja.
"Kai—umm…I need to talk with you…in my room." Lloyd's youthful face was somewhat tense and his brow was crinkled in concern.
Kai's expression was difficult to discern—maybe a mix of concern and annoyance if that was possible. "Is it serious?" He asked.
"Yeah—in my room." The young savior's tone was clipped and surprisingly anxious. Zane felt a painful twinge in his Coronary Circuitry.
He must really want to be alone with Kai…
The green ninja then walked over to the fridge and retrieved two bottles of water before exiting the kitchen without another word. As if he just knew Kai was going to follow after him. The brunette in question rubbed the back of his head with a sigh and eyed Zane apologetically.
"Sorry," he said with genuine regret. "Let me go see what he wants and then I'll be back so we can discuss the jubilee." He gave a playful wink, but Zane turned away from him and resumed his chore of washing the dishes.
"Please, do not trouble yourself." Zane's voice was flat and cold like a steel blade. "I will ask Jay to accompany me. I rather not impede Lloyd's desires."
Kai had been about to turn around to follow Lloyd, but the ice ninja's…well…icy tone stopped him in dead his tracks. His brow puckered. "Lloyd's desires…?" He echoed, bewildered. "What does Lloyd have to do with any of this?"
"Why don't you go and ask him? After all, he needs you in his room." It was rare for Zane to use such a reproachful tone, especially towards a friend, but when he did…it was definitely something to gawk at. And Kai did.
"What?!"
The fire ninja's incredulousness only affronted Zane further and he scowled darkly at the sink full of hot, soapy water and dirty dishes. Honestly, how oblivious does he think I am? As if I am unable to decipher hidden meanings behind a given phrase. Balderdash! *Sigh*…In any event, there is no use "crying over spilled milk" as the saying goes… I…I have forfeited already… Kai's heat…is not mine to relish in… It's Lloyd's…
It was excruciating for Zane to think that, but he persevered as best he could.
Kai was still gaping at the nindroid in astonishment, but he finally snapped into focus. "Zane, what the hell are you talkin' about?!"
The audacity… Does he really plan to play innocent until the very end…? Must I speak the words that will tear my soul asunder?! Would Kai really be that cruel?! Hmph…if so…then he is poorly mistaken…
Thankfully before more was said or thought, the Bounty's kitchen phone rang. Zane was closest to it, so he walked over to answer it. During which he completely ignored Kai, having no desire to answer his question.
"Hello? Destiny's Bounty."
(Hey, Zane—umm…why do you sound so angry? Did something happen?)
"Jay…" The livid tension inside Zane's body gradually dissipated at hearing the blue ninja's mellow, though, fretful tone. He smiled into the phone. "No, nothing is wrong. How are you? I must say you sound happier than you did yesterday."
Zane had been terribly concerned for Jay when he had called the latter. Though the lightning ninja has always been the most sensitive member within the brotherhood, he never cried needlessly.
(Y-Yeah, I'm fine, thanks. Ah…Cole and I are actually on our way back right now.)
Zane's eyes widened a fraction. "You are? That's wonderful news. How far away are you two?"
For a moment, all Zane could hear was the wind buffeting on the other end. But then Jay's voice resurfaced. (Not far from the looks of it. Albatross City isn't too far from the Sea of Sand, especially by air. So maybe about fifteen minutes or so away?)
"Excellent. I will be waiting for you out on the deck then."
(Oh, okay. See ya soon, brother.)
A different kind of warmth filled Zane this time—one that he allowed wholeheartedly. "Yes, see you soon."
Zane hung up the phone and turned around…to see Kai still standing in the kitchen with him, his arms crossed and his foot tapping restlessly against the tiled floor. He met Zane's detached stare with critical eyes.
"So, Cole and Jay on their way back?" He asked plainly and Zane nodded, beginning to walk towards him for the doors.
"Yes, and I am going to the deck in order to greet them upon their arrival."
Kai sidestepped in front of Zane to block his path and stood nose to nose with him. "You're not going anywhere until you talk to me," he growled. "What did you mean when—"
"Kai! Come here!"
Zane continued to peer stoically at the Master of Fire as the other snarled and rolled his eyes, clearly frustrated. He turned his head and yelled over his shoulder. "Fine! Dammit!"
Despite Zane's acceptance of Kai and Lloyd's relationship, he did find it odd that they didn't speak to each other one would think significant others would. Maybe there were more complex demographics to human relations that Zane hadn't discovered or even understood yet. But nonetheless, he knew it was none of his business. He moved to step around Kai when the fire ninja suddenly grabbed him by the shoulder.
Zane glared at him, but Kai glared right back. "Don't think for a second this is over." Kai whispered harshly. They were standing so close that Zane could feel the sweltering breath of the fire ninja on his face, the spiciness of the curry he had consumed beforehand at breakfast making it all the more beguiling. "I will come and find you so that we can finish this."
And with that, Kai turned on his heel and stormed out of the kitchen, leaving Zane alone. The white ninja rubbed his temple tiredly. "There is nothing to "finish", Kai…because I have already finished it."
*~xXx~*
Once Zane stepped foot outside on the deck after finishing the dishes, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, filling his artificial lungs with the cool, crisp air of winter. Yes, for today marks December 1st, the very first official day of the Long Frost. Even now, he could sense the incoming snowfall the late evening would bring. He opened his eyes and sighed happily.
He actually giggled like a child at seeing his breath stream in front of his face in wispy white gusts. "Father," he called out into the pastel heavens, "I want it to snow so badly that it almost hurts…" He looked down at his perfect, pale hands. "…Is this what it truly means to be attuned with one's element…?"
The Ninja had shared with their teachers as well as with each other, the incredible happenings of when their elements occurred naturally and they were within their midst. Cole could sense the comings of earthquakes from amazing distances and give accurate deductions on their seismic power without the use of a Richter scale, all by feeling the deep rumblings of the earth beneath his feet. Jay's powers were similar. Sensing thunderstorms were his forte, but knowing how unstable Jay's element was always worried Zane. There was a constant fear within the ice ninja that his excitable, younger brother could destroy himself with his power quite easily if he wasn't careful.
He shook his head. No, Jay has gained such mastery over his element during the recent years… I am worrying for nothing…
Zane walked over to the side railings and grasped the top bar. His thoughts drifted to Kai next…and lingered. The Master of Fire didn't exactly describe to his brothers what he felt when a wildfire broke out. All he ever said was: "You'd think I'd be happy with the most dangerous element, but how assuring would it be to have a counterbalance?"
It was a very unorthodox statement to be heard from the usually capricious red ninja, but everyone had bared witness to Kai's growth over the years. He had become wiser, a sharper acuity to pair with his formidable ferociousness.
Zane's face darkened and he gripped the railings just a bit tighter. And yet he lacks the wisdom to come forth with the truth about his frequent rendezvous with Lloyd…
Zane closed his eyes with a frown. He didn't want to think about Kai—or Lloyd, for that matter, and thus tried to center himself by clearing his mind. He opened his eyes and looked skyward, and into the distance. Albatross City appeared almost ghostly in the frigid morning, and the sound of crashing waves against the rocks below sent tranquility reverberating through his core.
He suddenly squinted against the fog, having spotted two airborne shadows. As they neared, he smiled and lifted his hand in greeting.
"Zane! Zane!"
Jay was already shouting his name and waving frantically at him as if he hadn't seen the ice ninja in years. The evolved Wisp and Rocky swooped down low and were deftly dispelled by their masters, letting Cole and Jay drop soundly unto the deck. The blue ninja rushed up and hugged him, and Zane returned his friend's brotherly affection.
"Hey, feeling good?" At Jay's soft tone, Zane chuckled.
"As I said before: yes, I am fine, Jay." The two pulled away, and Zane looked gently into his brother's sapphire eyes. "I wanted to greet you, but I also needed the fresh air. It was getting just a tad…too warm inside for my liking."
Jay pulled back his hood and threw a worried glance over his shoulder at Cole, meeting his hardened emerald gaze. Cole removed his own hood. "So where is everybody?"
Zane nodded. "Sensei Wu and Sensei Garmadon are still engaged in their morning ruminations," he informed readily. "Nya is in the city currently procuring spare parts for the ship, and Kai and Lloyd are…" A painful image suddenly surfaced within Zane's mind, one of Kai and Lloyd locked in a loving embrace.
His jaw tightened and he met Jay's eyes stoically. "My apologies… I am not certain of Kai or Lloyd's whereabouts at the moment…only that they are inside the ship."
Just as Zane finished, the door to the Bounty opened and who but burst through but the hot-blooded ninja himself.
"Oh, well there's one…" Zane muttered, unenthused.
"Zane—Oh, hey bros." Kai approached the group with a friendly smirk, though his eyes shifted to Zane briefly as he came to stand beside him. The white ninja remained impassive. "Jay, we all heard about your parents," the fire ninja said, his voice laced with sympathy. "I'm sorry, man."
The blue ninja gave a self-encouraging smile. "Thanks, Kai. But, nothing's been finalized yet. There's still a chance my parents will stay together."
Cole stepped closer to Jay and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "The best thing to do right now is to stay optimistic," the earth ninja chimed in. "Edna is, and look—" Cole glanced down at the oblique Tupperware under his arm. "—she even gave me a cake as a going-away present."
Kai cocked an eyebrow at his broadly grinning leader. "Ha, yeah I think she just wanted you to go away," he sniped teasingly. "That or you finagled her to make you one."
"Hey, I did no such thing," Cole retorted, at which Kai smirked. "And she didn't want me to "go away", alright?"
Jay laughed outright at the familiar, ribbing exchange, but Zane didn't bat an eye. "Well, at any rate, I am pleased to see you in such high spirits, Jay." He smiled. "If you are feeling up to it, may I speak with you privately for a moment?"
Kai immediately turned his attention to the nindroid, his smirk falling off his lips. "Wait a second, Zane. What about?" He demanded, with thinned eyes. "Not about what I think, right?"
"I do not see how anything I discuss with Jay is of any concern of yours," Zane countered swiftly and coolly. However, his retort only caused Kai to seethe more. But before he could lash-out, Jay quickly moved to diffuse the situation.
"A-Actually, I need to speak with you too, Zane," he said, eyeing the fire in Kai's eyes with a confused frown. A soft smile touched Zane's lips as he looked at Jay, but the red ninja only glowered.
Cole frowned as well, scrutinizing his fire and ice brothers carefully. "And while they're doing that, I need to talk to you, Kai. Where's Lloyd?"
"In the back," Kai barked. "And whatever you have to say, it can wait." He didn't even spare his older brother a glance, his belligerent stare focused solely on Zane and Jay.
Zane spoke, unfazed. "Well then, shall we go?" Not really waiting for a reply from the younger, Zane took hold of Jay's hand and headed for the door.
"Zane, will you listen—"
"Kai! Just let 'em go, man," Cole snapped. "You can talk to him later."
Kai…you have always been so stubborn… Great sadness draped over Zane like a heavy blanket. But there is nothing more to talk about… So please, leave me alone…
Kai had whirled on Cole and started arguing with him, both not noticing a trim, feminine figure climb over the railings with bags in her hands. Zane and Jay left the bickering behind them and entered the Bounty's cabin. The trek to the ice ninja's quarters was short and brisk, with Jay not even getting a chance to express his wonderment until he was inside and behind closed doors.
"Zane…what's going on?" Jay asked worriedly, and Zane turned around after closing the door, a pleasant smile in place.
"What do you mean?"
Jay cocked his scarred eyebrow as he peered at the white ninja's innocent grin. "Zane, c'mon. I may be a lot of things, but naïve is not one of them. Something is going on, and I know that Kai and Lloyd are at the helm."
Zane's smile faltered until it fell from his face completely. He shook his head. "That is not what I wanted to talk to you about."
"Well it's what I wanted to talk to you about," Jay countered, watching as the tall nindroid came his way. "When you called, you sounded so…defeated… Why?"
Zane inwardly winced. He had thought that he played his indifferent role to the letter, but it seemed his performance was seen through by Jay's acute attentiveness. He met the younger's deep sapphires unflinchingly. "Perhaps I should ask you the same thing?" He countered, and blue gems grew wide.
"What?"
"You shed tears, Jay," Zane elucidated gently. "And despite my worry, I had adhered to your want not to talk about it then. At the time, you said that it was not your parents who had caused you emotional pain… Then who did?"
"Oh—that was—that wasn't…" Jay rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly and sighed. "…Cole and I just got into a little squabble, that's all…"
Zane's eyebrow rose. "You and Cole have gotten into numerous "squabbles" in the past, Jay. And some had nearly come to blows and devastation. But none of them have ever made you cry."
Jay's eyes became downcast and he backed slowly away from Zane until the back of his legs came in contact with his friend's bed. He flopped down unceremoniously on top of it. The white ninja came and sat down quietly beside him, observing Jay all the while.
The lightning ninja bit his lip. "Zane…" A quick shake of the head. "Okay, how about this…a secret for a secret. You tell me what's troubling you, and I'll tell you what's troubling me. I'll even go first, deal?"
Zane could sense no trickery from his brother, thus he inclined his head. "Deal."
Jay took a deep breath and turned to look at him, his expression drawn and melancholic. "Well, umm…first know that Nya and I are no longer together. She chose Cole over me."
Zane frowned pensively. "Yes, as I have heard her rhapsodize about it over the last forty-eight hours. Females are such mystifying creatures… So after 730 days of courtship with you, she decides to abandon you for someone who barely acknowledged her existence for the longest time?"
It was genuine question and Zane looked to Jay for clarification. The blue ninja shrugged. "I wasn't enough, that's what she told me a few days ago before we left."
Was that the explanation? Zane's face darkened to a scowl and he pursed his lips. "I will not try to understand Nya's logic. Please continue."
"Don't think ill of her," Jay rushed to defend his ex. "You know how great Nya is."
When the Master of Ice said nothing to refute or agree with his claim, Jay carried on. "Well anyway…Cole and I have been close, especially after the tournament." He grinned. "Our friendship is stronger than it's ever been really. But…at my parents' place...Cole—we found out that…"
A sudden blush appeared along Jay's cheeks, and pure hazel optics widened a fraction. "Zane, we found out that our feelings run deeper than friendship, we're in love with each other."
Zane said the first thing that came through his CPU. "What?" It was indeed astonishing. Could Jay actually understand his plight after all?
"But we didn't do anything!" Jay waved his hands frantically in front of his face, eyes wide. "Well…asides from uh…uh…" The blush expanded from his cheeks to the entirety of his face.
Zane observed the phenomenon silently. "You and Cole confessed your love for each other?"
Jay ran a hand through his hair in an act of nervousness. "N-Not with…words…"
Zane blinked, trying to connect the dots. "You had sexual intercourse?"
"What?! No!" Jay yelped. "We just kissed a few times, okay? Listen, uh…" It was obvious Jay was struggling with the subject, and the painful expression etched across his face informed Zane how severe the situation actually was.
The stricken blue ninja rubbed his palms up and down his thighs. "…It's complicated, Zane," he got out at last. "But the point is…nothing's going to come out of it. Cole's going to be in a relationship with Nya, and I'm not going to get in the way of her happiness." A wry smile tugged on Jay's lips. "Now it's my turn to back off…"
"Jay…" Something about this affair felt strange to him, and so he voiced his opinion. "…I am a novice when it comes to the subject of love. However, I sense that the future you made out for yourself and Cole…is not the right one." Pure hazel stared into deep blues. "Do you truly believe you will be able to forget your love for him and vice versa? Especially when it's mutual and not unrequited?"
Jay tensed and it took him quite a few moments to answer. "I…I-I-I think so," he stuttered and swallowed thickly. "With time I…I'm sure I'll be able to fall out of love with him and move on. And Cole, once he gets to know Nya better…he'll fall for her just as I did…and they'll be happy…"
"But what about your happiness," Zane said automatically. "Jay, you are being so selfless. You are willingly sacrificing your own joy for someone who left you."
"It's fine…" Jay mumbled, but Zane wasn't convinced it was. His sixth sense tingled somewhere deep in his core, and the emotion "misery" shone bright from the void. He suddenly reacted and embraced Jay tight.
"Be careful, brother. Come to me if you ever need to, alright? I want to be sure you are safe."
Jay smiled and patted Zane's back. "Hey, I'm okay; everything's going to be fine. So don't worry about me."
The two ninja brothers stayed that way for a while until Zane pulled back and released the younger. "Thank you for sharing with me, Jay. Now allow me to respond in kind." The white ninja—never one to mince words—spoke candidly. "I am in love with Kai."
Jay's eyes nearly bulged out their sockets. "What?! Really?! You two—Fire and Ice!? Whoa!" He then snapped his fingers. "Oh! Is that what happened back on the deck?" Jay asked, grinning like a fox. "A little lover's spat? Because you sure gave Kai the "cold" shoulder—hehehe! Is he in the doghouse?"
Zane was taken aback by Jay's sudden exuberance. "Why would Kai be in a doghouse?" He asked, thoroughly confused. "Furthermore, Kai and I are not lovers, Jay." The nindroid really had to muster his next words up from his throat. "I have reason to believe he may already be involved with Lloyd."
The jovial smile on Jay's face instantly dropped. "Huh? Lloyd? Are you sure?"
"When Lloyd calls for Kai…he goes." Zane gave a half-hearted shrug. "What else is one supposed to deduce from that?"
Jay tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Yeah, I've seen that. It's been happening for close to a month now, and while it is suspicious, it's not wise to jump to conclusions. Basing answers from assumptions and suppositions will get you nowhere, Zane. Hey!" Sapphires brightened in enlightenment. "Maybe that was what Kai was trying to tell you out on the deck, huh? Maybe he was trying to tell you the truth about him and Lloyd?"
The lightning ninja's optimism didn't get through to Zane as the latter shook his head ruefully. "No, he just did not want me to ask you to accompany me to the New Ninjago City Christmas Jubilee—the parade to be more precise. He wanted to escort me." He smiled at the one sitting beside him. "That is the reason why I wanted to speak with you, Jay."
"Oh, well I'd be happy to go with you, Zane." Jay scratched his cheek, a little embarrassed. But then he searched his friend's eyes. "But if Kai wants to take you, wouldn't that be better?"
Before Zane could refute, he thought about him and Kai alone up on the roof of some building, the lively and majestic Christmas parade below them. Maybe they could hold hands for a short while? Maybe Zane could pack thermoses filled with hot cocoa? Or better yet, apple cider…Kai always did love the spicy, cinnamon tang of it.
"And what's also noteworthy," Jay carried on, "is that Kai's also willing to face his fears just to be with you. No doubt that he'll try to put up a brave front, but you could be there for him…just like he was there for you."
Derailed again, Zane thought back to last week's nightmare. It had been many moons since he had last had a dream about his irrational fear of living vegetables. He was so disturbed by it the morning after that he more or less shut himself away in his room, refusing to see anyone in fear of having to explain the reason for his isolation. But it was Kai who had picked the flimsy lock on his door and entered his sanctuary. He said nothing as he approached Zane's trembling form on the bed, only sat down beside him and embraced him.
Somehow…Kai had known.
Zane's Coronary Circuity pulsed purposefully. "If I could…only return the favor…"
Both ninja suddenly jumped at hearing a loud slam.
"What was that?" Jay asked.
Frowning, Zane raced for the door with Jay on his heels. When they broke out, the first thing they saw was Lloyd down the hall—holding a long, raven-haired young man in his arms. The blonde turned desperate and fearful eyes towards the two ninja.
"Zane! Jay! Please help me!"
Ice and Lightning was at Lloyd's side in an instant. "Lloyd, what happened?!" Zane questioned sternly.
"Who is that, Lloyd?" Jay asked next, his perplexed gaze scrutinizing the trembling and blanket-wrapped stranger.
Dark ruby eyes narrowed, and Lloyd's arms cradled the one in his grasp protectively. "It's Brad, alright? My friend from Darkley's—Brad Tudabone. And he's gonna die if we don't do something!"
Author's Note: Please leave your thoughts.