Author's Note: I should've known I would jinx myself. *sigh* So much for all that "free time" I spouted about last chapter, as I've had little to no leisure time for the past month. Well, I'm not going to belly-ache and lament, since here I am with a new chapter and all. I just hope you all enjoy like always.

Unexpected

By: Mad Betrayal

"A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same..."—Elbert Hubbard

Chapter 35 ~ As It Falls

After that sweet and hysterical moment between Lloyd and Brad ran its course, the Nomad Clan hurried up the fire escape of the apartment complex that the latter had led them too. Content but fatigued (and still sporting a vivid blush) Brad gladly hitched a ride on the green ninja's back.

Zane watched them with smile from behind as they made their ascent. Lloyd and Brad were steadily becoming closer, and their feelings for each other were deepening. If Zane recalled correctly, he'd say that the two younger males' relationship reminded him of a literary piece he had read once. It had been a truly fantastical tale and spoke of two childhood friends reuniting after a series of unfortunate events and gradually falling in love with each other in the midst of rediscovering their bond.

Falling in love…

The context of the phrase had been lost to Zane for so long. He hadn't understood what it meant. The concept of "love" in it of itself was difficult to fathom and had many different nuances. For instance, he had loved his father—the man who had created him and had basically given him life. He loved his extended family—the Nomad Clan. His ninja brothers and teachers had become a very important part of his life. This was all described as "platonic love".

That is until one certain ninja brother had started to invoke other emotions and thoughts that had separated him from the rest.

"You okay, Diamond? What's the hold up?"

Kai's voice was a heady whisper in Zane's ear. The fire ninja brought up the rear of their steady climb to the roof. And now, he was right behind the white ninja, his chin nearly resting on his shoulder. Zane blinked, unaware he had given pause on the stairwell.

He blinked again. "Forgive me, Kai. I was merely…thinking…"

"About…?"

Zane smiled at the soft concern lacing his opposite's voice. "…About…things better left until later." And with that, he resumed up the stairs.

"Uh-huh…so about me then. About us."

"We must prioritize the mission," Zane said evenly, his steps light but still noisy to his chagrin. "Our relationship is irrelevant at the moment." An idle glance upward informed Zane that Lloyd and Brad were a flight ahead of them. As well as the fact that the fog was thinning.

His breath hitched as he caught the evanescent sight of luminescent green before it vanished, and he nearly stopped again. But thankfully, his climb wasn't deterred. And again, Kai was suddenly right behind him.

"I don't think so, Diamond." That whisper again. Was Kai really still wearing his decontamination suit? Because Zane thought he could irrevocably feel the warmth of red ninja's breath on his neck. "I don't think our relationship will ever become irrelevant."

It was a pleasant shock to Zane's system at first. And then a gratifying amount of adoration seeped in through his Emotional Framework. This time, he did turn around to look back at Kai over his shoulder. And he was rewarded with a calm and confident smirk on the handsome face of the Master of Fire beyond the clear visor.

"That…was not the context of which I had made my resolution," he said quietly.

Golden-amber eyes smoldered. "I know. Just wanted to get under your skin like you got under mine earlier."

Deciphering the colloquial speech, Zane smiled. "That wasn't on purpose, Kai."

"Maybe not," Kai purred, wrapping an arm around the ice ninja's waist and pulling him closer. "But it certainly looks like you have a knack for being a fuckin' tease at the most inopportune times, babe. Now about face and get movin'. The faster we get to the top, the faster we can leave and be one step closer in completing this mission."

When Kai released him, Zane promptly turned around and continued up the fire escape. For the sake of the mission, he would choose to ignore the sultry tacked on "babe" Kai had used to address him and resume his solemn focus. Yes, it was best to ignore the tantalizing heat flowing through his matrix at the moment...

"Guys, where are you! You have to see this!"

Lloyd's yell got both ninjas to hurry their climbing. And soon, they too stood upon the expansive rooftop of the apartment complex. The first thing Zane noticed was the swathes of green and blue, the blue from the sky itself, and the iridescent green of beautiful spore-like plants idly drifting through it.

The four stood in awe of it all, at the resplendent magnificence above and the utter devastation below. Zane looked across the sky. The green seemed to stretch on for eternity in wavy lengths. He remembered that Cole had said that the destruction caused by the meteorites would be centered at New Ninjago City, but that they would also hail all over the planet's surface.

How their leader had known for certain was still a mystery. However, after seeing this for himself, there was no doubting Cole's assuredness.

But…what does it mean…? What are the Mana Cetra's purpose here…? Hmm…?

Zane lifted his hand. It was like falling snow—the golden powder Jay had reported to them during his mission. And now it was continually falling. Out across the city's skyline from where he could see, the golden powder fell.

Taking his eyes off the alien flora, Zane directed his gaze to his gloved palm that dusted with the shimmering specks of gold. Only to see them dissolve into nothingness a moment later. So distracted was he by the phenomenon, he failed to notice a single Mana Cetra light down onto his outstretched palm.

His pure hazel eyes widened a fraction as he took in the delicate sight of the swaying plant. Upon closer inspection, the long whitish-green tendrils sprouting from its crown were very pretty. And the twinkling gold ends made the Mana Cetra even more physically appealing. There was no face to speak of, just a long and somewhat thick stem made up its "body" and a wide-brimmed, fungal-shaped crown for a "head".

"Uh, Zane…? Uh…"

Zane was so enthralled by the Mana Cetra that he barely registered Kai's uncertain tone. He watched as the lovely little flora hopped to the center of his palm and tilt its crown back, as if to peer up at him. It was then when Zane felt an infinitesimal tickle within his CPU. It wasn't intrusive, just an attention-getter.

The Master of Ice silently cocked an eyebrow at the Mana Cetra, knowing full-well without a doubt that it was trying to establish a link of telepathic communication with him. However, his hesitation only lasted a moment as curiosity triumphed over caution. Casting his mental boundaries aside, he let the tickle spread into a gentle caress.

(Oh! I didn't think I'd be able to connect with you! You're…kinda different… Really, kinda different…)

So, they could tell. Good, that would make things easier for Zane. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled through his mouth, letting the cool stream of carbon dioxide fog his visor momentarily.

"Yes…I am quite different."

He could feel Kai's heated gaze attempt to burn holes through his temple, but paid his opposite no mind.

(I'm Umayma. Who—What are you?)

The high timbre voice asked sweetly, giving a little twirl and sprinkling golden powder all around them. Zane's answer was immediate. "I am Zane. I am a cybernetic organism with living tissue over a titanium endoskeleton—an android of sorts, as I also have artificial organs."

After the words passed from the white ninja's lips, he realized he'd had very little chance to say them since he'd regain his memories from his place of creation. And to hear them, made it all too clear how truly different he was from the others—from all humans. When P.I.X.A.L. had copied his schematics and, in turn, had helped mass-produce that dreadful nindroid army, he had felt…so cheap and expendable. Even though they were "cheap knock-offs" as Kai had once so eloquently put it, Zane just couldn't rid himself of the deep melancholy the experience had wrought.

He looked beyond the Mana Cetra and peered at his hand—his arm. Just why was he wearing this suit again? To blend in? To not arouse suspicion from the humans that didn't know him? The harangued notion brought a more stoic expression to his countenance.

"I will not be affected by your pollen. With or without the suit." The fact came hard and cold from his lips, causing a frosty border to decorate the edges of his visor. He ignored Kai's belligerent frown and focused solely on the alien plant.

(Hmmmm… Mayhaps, mayhaps not…)

Zane blinked but said nothing more and the Mana Cetra continued.

(Suit aside. You are alive, Zane—and distinctly bare a semblance to human male physiology. I can feel the Mana flowing serenely inside you. As well as your pale blood and wintery breath.)

"And what does that prove exactly?"

Umayma bounced on his palm and shook its crown, causing their pretty tendrils to sway and glitter.

(It proves that there may be a chance that you will become a Marked One—a male mother. We, Mana Cetra, can usually tell who will change just by connection alone. But you, Child of Ice, are a wild card.)

Zane frowned, perplexed. Male mother? Marked One? What exactly did that entail? Zane thought quickly, piecing together all of the information disclosed from both Jay and Aaron. His brother had mentioned the appearance of the Mana Cetra and their golden pollen, but not the effects it had. Did that mean that Jay hadn't established a connection with one of them? It was possible. He had been in a rush after all. But then, Aaron had distinctly divulged about the abrupt "mark" appearing on Jay's flesh by way of blue fire.

Thus, if he were to believe the words of said Mana Cetra, then that impromptu "mark"—that star of creation encircled by angel wings—identified Jay as a male mother, which in turn meant that the Master of Lightning was now capable of housing the miracle of procreation. And just perhaps…him too.

But Cole was unaffected despite direct exposure to their pollen along with Jay. So does that mean…only a select amount of men will be affected…? Then, Eros' hypothesis has been proven correct… Goodness… How…disconcerting…

The Mana Cetra floated up from his palm to settle at eye-level between the two ninja.

(Oh I don't know about that. After all, you're still free to mate with whoever you want to, whether they be male or female. It's just an additional option for two men to pass on their bloodline if their sexual preferences coincided with each other. I'm glad you're smart, by the way. It really saves time. So many humans are still in hiding from the shower. And those who have ventured outside, run away screaming whenever one of my kind try to talk to them. Though…we have spoken to some...)

The voice was so light and airy inside Zane's mind, like a gentle breeze ruffling blades of grass. But the words playfully dispersed were anything but light-hearted. The Mana Cetra's pollen would change the world on a momentous scale. And apparently it didn't matter if people took preventative measures or not against it. It seemed inevitable that some men will be affected, and some will not.

"What the…"

Unbeknownst to Zane, Umayma had fluttered closer to Kai and proceeded to twist and turn in a sort of hypnotic dance in front of the red ninja's face. Just as accustomed to the strange and unnatural as he was, Kai simply crossed his arms and looked inquisitively at the alien spore in an effort to understand. Had Umayma made a telepathic link with Kai now? Well, it would explain the lack of a cheerful voice resonating in his head.

Though just as free and expressive with his emotions as Jay was, Kai's display of feels was more intense than excitable. The gradual loosening of his furrowed brow as the—more or less—one-sided conversation continued was fascinating to watch for Zane. Until the fire ninja's face became completely slack and nothing but genuine shock remained. But then, Kai's jaw immediately tightened and his golden-amber stare shifted from Umayma to him.

Zane blinked. Maybe the conversation the two were having wasn't so one-sided after all. Umayma was dancing and twirling more colorfully than they had during their own exchange. It skirted around Kai's head before curving between them again and doing the same around Zane's, leaving sprits of golden powder in its wake as it made a loop around the pair, encircling them. Connecting them.

Zane wanted to open his mouth to question the Mana Cetra's peculiar antics, but the words fizzled and died in his throat. Something about the way Kai was eyeing him both unnerved and intrigued him. The way the natural golden fire of his irises darkened to ochre as his blatant ogling trailed slowly down his body. But as they rose upward, the hues brightening once more, they suddenly stopped somewhere below his collarbone frame, below his ribs…around his midsection.

A slow, precious smile soon adorned Kai's lips, and his molten gaze softened considerably. Zane had seen such a rare smile directed at him. At him. Not his midsection. Not his…stomach.

"Kai!"

The realization had alarmed Zane so much that the other's name had pealed from his throat of its own volition, sharp and loud. Kai's gaze snapped to his, his eyes wide with shock. His brow then immediately furrowed with dumbfounded concern.

"Zane? What's wrong? Why'd you shout?"

Consternated and unable to answer, Zane opted to just look away. His white blood hummed furiously through his circuits, but there was no target to focus this unprecedented adrenaline rush on. His emotions ran rampant, his E.F. sending all forms of anxiety every which way and that that his CPU was having difficulty sorting through them all.

Why had he reacted that way? Inconceivable!

Zane lifted a trembling hand to place it against his mouth, only to be thwarted by the ever-present visor of his decontamination suit. Why was he wearing this suit again?

(Wow, you're so wired!)

The usually unflappable white ninja actually gave a start when Umayma suddenly fluttered into his field of vision and touched his visor with its tendrils.

(What's gotten you so scared?)

"I am not afraid."

It was an automated response for the Master of Ice. But nonetheless true. The only real fear he'd developed was inconsequential, as well as unrealistic. And his emotions going awry and recent outburst had absolutely nothing to do with animated vegetables. But regardless, he had found some clarity and focus. The accusation had rid him of some of the wayward feelings, and he regained a semblance of normalcy while defending his warrior ninja pride.

"Well something's got you vexed," Kai ventured, stepping closer.

Zane turned back to face him, taking note of the now staid expression on his opposite's face. Thinking about the mission (and not wanting to fall back into the pits of uncertainty), Zane dipped his head morosely.

"Forgive my rudeness from earlier, Kai. I do not know what had come over me." And he didn't. His stricken outburst was an anomaly that he'd rather forget about at the moment. Or rather forever. "But more importantly, I take it you conversed with Umayma?"

Kai planted his hands on his hips and gave him another once over, this one more clinical than anything else, before expelling a deep sigh and turning away to look out across the skyline. The golden powder was raining down at an exponential rate as the Mana Cetra continued their journey. However, judging by how quickly the pollen evaporated, Zane doubted that a speck would ever reach ground level. No, the alien essence was designed to be airborne in order to spread quickly and silently.

He hadn't sensed any artifice or evasion when Umayma had divulged their kind's purpose. Thus, he didn't doubt that mankind would be affected. He just doubted he would be affected.

"Yeah," Kai replied wistfully, "and they excitedly answered all my questions. And even the ones I didn't ask."

Zane's unabashed stare scoured over the other male's profile. "And…why did you not speak openly?"

Yes, Zane could've kept silent throughout his conversation with Umayma, but felt that would've been rude and didn't want to exclude Kai completely from the encounter. So why hadn't the red ninja shone him the same consideration?

But instead of answering his question, Kai deflected it instead and continued on as if the white ninja hadn't even spoken at all. "This is gonna change everything. And although humans are adaptable to change, the transition is always slow and agonizing in most cases. It's always a struggle. We can only hope that the struggle doesn't incur violence."

It was a sad thought. But nonetheless true. "Humans…fear what they do not understand," Zane said, reciting the idiom Lieutenant Steiner had relinquished back at the Honeycomb on the bridge that connected to the CCC.

Frowning slightly, Kai suddenly engulfed himself in a flaming vortex, utilizing his Spinjitzu and reappearing in his black and red ninja suit. Fierce golden-amber eyes locked on his when Zane didn't move to do the same.

"Well? What're you waiting for? You know the suits are useless. We don't need 'em. We'll tell Ada the same when we report back. They'll prolly choose to keep wearing 'em due to the cold, though." He waved his hand dismissively. "But whateve's. What they decide to do is of no concern of the clan in that respect."

Zane nodded his head in agreement, and in a quick spiral of ice and snow, he too adorned his ninja robes. Free of the constricting and bulky decontamination suit, he relished in the comfort and familiarity of his gi. But a modicum of curiosity poked at him. Kai had connected with Umayma. And according to the Mana Cetra, their kind could tell which males would become Marked Ones upon connection. So…

"Kai…did Umayma share with you about whether or not you would become a male mother?"

The question came from Zane easily enough. And although Kai's face was obscured by his hood, Zane felt he knew him well enough to know when the fiery ninja was smirking despite its presence. And he had a distinct feeling he was.

"Nah, not me, babe. But you know what…before all this, I had resigned to the fact that I wouldn't be the one to carry on the Hayabusa bloodline. But now…I have a kindling of hope." That look in his eyes. That same soft, adoring gleam from before ignited within Kai's depths, making them shine like the sun and warm Zane's soul. "I just might be able to have a family of my own someday…with the one I love."

It happened again. A storm of emotions assailed through Zane all at once. His breath caught and his mouth dried. He fought to keep everything in—to keep his calm and not fall into the waves of tumultuous doubt, anxiety and… and…

(You're scared. You're so very scared.)

Umayma glided over to Kai and perched on the fire ninja's shoulder. Time seemed to slow as the Mana Cetra's voice echoed from every corner of his mind.

(You look at him and you feel fear. What is it about him—the one who cares deeply for you—that makes you feel such dread? Can you admit it to yourself? It may help you feel better.)

Fear? Was that truly what he was feeling right now? But it felt so different than the emotion invoked from his Lachanophobia. He didn't want to run away and lock himself in his room to wait out the lingering terrors. No, this particular emotion staggered him. Crippled him. It made him feel like his world was crumbling all around him. And worst of all, it made him feel like there was nothing he could do to prevent it.

And all because…Kai was looking at him with such…hope.

Zane struggled to deal with this new type of fear and anxiety seeping from his E.F. and took a few deep breathes to soothe his (strangely) burning lungs. He kept his thoughts quiet as he reached out to Umayma telepathically, not wanting his opposite to hear about his internal afflictions.

(Kai… He's expecting so much from me… What if I cannot give him all of which he desires…? I am not human. I loathe the idea of wasting his time, but…I want to be with him. I do not want our relationship to end before it barely has a chance to begin…)

Umayma's voice was a soothing presence akin to warm honey, and Zane mentally clung to it.

(Do you really have such little faith in him? Do you really have such little faith in yourself? Take it easy. Only time will tell what will become of you two. You're the one wasting time worrying. Don't take for granted of the here and now.)

Umayma lighted off Kai's shoulder when the other moved forward, pulling his hood back. And Zane lifted his gaze to meet his opposite's deep, molten eyes. Flecks of gold immediately powdered the brunet's spiky locks, giving the handsome ninja an almost ethereal and regal aura under the suns morning rays.

Spellbound, Zane did nothing as the other male reached toward him and pulled back his hood, and cupped his cheeks gently in his gloved hands. His hands were warm—Kai was warm, and Zane shivered in delight at the feeling of the heat on his frigid face.

"Kai…"

The red ninja's name came barely above a whisper from Zane's lips, a mix between a plea and a warning. The mission… They could wait. Surely they should be checking on Lloyd and Brad right now. The Mana Cetra… Brad's prophecy… They didn't have much time left before Lieutenant Steiner would expect them to report in and regroup. So much needed to be done and discussed.

But instead of voicing these thoughts, he lifted his hands to cover the ones on his face. He nuzzled instinctively into the leather, relishing the feel of Kai's warm thumbs (however covered they were) caressing his cheeks. The wintery wind teased his clothes, whistling a baleful song and stirring the golden pollen. And although he thrived in the lower climates, he found himself drawn further into Kai's burning heat.

And closer still, until the hands slid from his face to wound around his waist. One moment, he saw Kai's eyes bright with loving hunger, and the next, he felt his warm breath tickle his neck, his soft lips against his cheek.

Zane's hands found purchase on Kai's shoulders, if only to steady himself. He felt pleasantly inebriated, drunk from the fire ninja's warmth and affection. He closed his eyes as he nuzzled the other's cheek, and breathed in the lingering spicy scent of Kai's cologne, Dragon's Blood. A low hum of approval was Zane's reward for his actions, the throaty sound reverberating up from his chest like a cat's purr.

"…You're thinking too much about this."

It wasn't something that could be easily quelled. Zane had a purely analytical mind. By design he subsisted on logic and reason. His mind would never blank completely, not even for meditation. Constant thoughts churned within him, sometimes languid, sometimes brisk. Even now, his sluggish CPU brought forth the dilemma and broke apart each important factor, looking to analyze, connect, check for alternatives, and prepare for anomalies.

Zane leaned more into Kai and twined his arms around the other male's neck. Over the red ninja's shoulder, he spied Brad and Lloyd a ways away, content in their own world of each other and surrounded by dozens of frolicking Mana Cetra. Neither was wearing their decontamination suits. And while Lloyd adorned his ninja attire, Brad wore simple blue jeans and a black turtleneck with long sleeves that trailed further than usual and covered half his hands.

Zane closed his eyes to the sight of the shyly blushing duo, wanting theirs and his and Kai's moment, especially, to stretch on for just a little while longer.

"…My… My apologies again, Kai," Zane breathed, letting his lips brush along the red ninja's heated pulse. He felt the hands around his waist tighten. "I feel…overwhelmed by all of this. It is all so…unexpected."

"Yes, it is, isn't it?" There was no fear or uncertainty in Kai's voice, only spirited glee. "There are just some things we can't prepare for. But there is one thing you should never worry about, Diamond. And that's my love for you. No matter what lies ahead, that one, solid truth will never change."

Zane at once pulled back, speechless. He stared wide-eyed at Kai. At how the whistling wind played with his hair, at how the sun's rays highlighted every inch of him and made his golden-amber eyes glow. At how with his words…was able to dispel every inhibition in Zane's being.

Kai radiated strength and courage, like a proud, golden lion braving even the pale gaze of winter. And Zane felt honored to be loved by such a great man, and humbled to love such a great man in return.

The Master of Ice smiled, slow and precious…and wordlessly leaned forward to kiss the warm lips that eternally called to him. There was nothing chaste about the kiss Fire and Ice shared. It was long and deep, a sharing of thoughts and feelings, a wedding between desire and necessity. It was the beginning of their forbidden union.

Above the couple, Umayma tittered and danced elaborate circles. The single Mana Cetra that had taken interest in Zane showered them solely with their essence. Umayma reached out through its link with the ice ninja, twirling happily as it said:

(You are delightfully different and beautifully unique, Child of Ice. If in time you are indeed affected by our essence…then I, Umayma, will happily stay with you. And see to that you survive the transformation. But for now…live in this sweet moment.)

Author's Note: I really felt Kai and Zane needed this. The next chapter will be Brad's respectively, and then we'll return to the Destiny's Bounty to check and see how the Seven Deities are faring in their enemies' home.