Chapter 2:

½ an hour later, Rihanna sat with Ronin in the police station until a woman walked up to them,

"The commissioner is ready to talk to you 2." She stated. Ronin picked up Rihanna and followed the woman into the commissioner's office,

"Thank you. Take a seat you 2." Commissioner stated as Ronin and Rihanna did so,

"Ronin. We've read your sister's will and it stated at 1 point that Rihanna is to be placed in your care but legally, you are unfit to raise a child,

"Come on commissioner. I'll do what it takes. I'll quit crime, I'll move house, I'll get a new job, I'll take classes. Name it and I'll do it for Rihanna." Ronin pleaded,

"Rihanna. I need you to be 100% honest with me. Do you feel safe with Ronin and will be fine in his care?" Commissioner asked,

"Yes." Rihanna replied,

"Ok. Ronin, here's what's going to happen, since you run your own shop, you can keep that. We'll put you through some test and if there's work needed, you will take classes. I'll come over to your living space and inspect it and if needed, you may have to move and ABSOLUTLLY no crime. Deal?" Commissioner asked,

"Deal." Ronin agreed,

"Great. The investigation is still on the way so you'll be able to collect your belongings soon. Is Rihanna already in school?" Commissioner asked,

"Rani had trouble getting her in but I know a great school I can get her in." Ronin explained,

"Uncle Ronin. What's school?" Rihanna asked,

"School's a place where you learn new things and make friends." Ronin explained,

"You'll be taking your test tomorrow at 10:30 am and I'll inspect the home now." Commissioner explained,

"Yes sir." Ronin replied.

Ronin, Rihanna and the commissioner walked into Ronin's apartment,

"It's a little messy. I was going to clean up today after I borrowed a mop from the ninjas." Ronin explained,

"You don't have cleaning supplies?" Commissioner asked,

"I do it's just my mop broke." Ronin explained as he pointed to the corner where a mop broke in 2 laid,

"Hm-mm." Commissioner hummed. After the commissioner did the inspection, he turned to Ronin,

"So?" Ronin asked,

"I'm afraid here's too dangerous for the child. You'll have to move, but you are lucky. There's a place suitable near Ninjago Primary School. Since it's for the child, you'll be able to get it easier." Commissioner explained,

"Thank you." Ronin replied,

"Is there somewhere Rihanna can stay while the move is going on?" Commissioner asked,

"Uh…well Dearth does owe me a favour." Ronin thought aloud,

"Is he safe?" Commissioner asked,

"He used to run a children's dojo until he quit to run a karaoke place." Ronin explained,

"Call him up." Commissioner stated. Ronin called up Dearth,

"Hello." Dearth stated,

"Hey Dearth. I need to turn in the favour you owe me." Ronin stated,

"Sure. What is it?" Dearth asked,

"I need to move and I need my niece to crash at yours while that's happening." Ronin explained,

"Since when do you have a niece?" Dearth asked,

"I'll explain later." Ronin replied,

"Sure she can crash. How old is she" Dearth asked,

"She's turning 4 soon." Ronin explained,

"Ok. See you later." Dearth stated,

"Later." Ronin replied,

"So?" Commissioner asked,

"It's all sorted." Ronin explained,

"Good. I'll help you with getting the house." Commissioner stated,

"Thank you." Ronin replied.

Soon, Ronin and Rihanna arrived at Dearth's,

"Dearth?" Ronin called out,

"1 sec!" Dearth replied as he walked out from the back, "Hey Ronin. This your niece?" he asked,

"Yeah. This is Rihanna. Rihanna, this Dearth." Ronin introduced,

"Hi." Rihanna waved quietly,

"Hey kiddo. What's wrong?" Dearth asked,

"Her mother went today." Ronin explained,

"Went?" Dearth asked,

"Mummy's dead." Rihanna mumbled as tears pricked her eyes,

"Oh. I'm sorry. I sat up the spare beds and you missy, if you need something, just ask ok." Dearth asked and Rihanna nodded.

Rihanna sat on a bar stool as Dearth ran the karaoke place,

"You want anything to drink kiddo?" Dearth asked and Rihanna shook her head. Soon, Dearth saw a man in a black cloak, black pants, black leather shoes and black shades with short black hair walking pass the window and about to enter, "Hey Rihanna. Can you get behind the bar please?" Dearth asked, his gut telling him trouble was brewing. Rihanna ducked behind the bar just as the man entered. He walked up to the bar and took a seat, "Hey buddy. What can I get ya?" Dearth asked,

"Whiskey." The man stated. Dearth slipped over a small glass,

"So what brings you round here?" Dearth asked,

"Looking for a girl." The man stated,

"What does she look like? Maybe I've seen her." Dearth asked. The man placed a headshot of Rihanna on the counter, "Sorry bud. Haven't seen her but if you leave it with me and a number I can contact you if I spot her." Dearth offered,

"I have no number but I will come often." The man stated,

"What ever works. Why you looking for her?" Dearth asked,

"She's my daughter. She's ran away from home and I'm trying to get her back." The man explained,

"Why not go to the police then?" Dearth asked,

"Police do nothing." The man explained as he finished his drink, "Have a good day." He stated as he stood up,

"You too." Dearth replied. 5 minuets after the man was clear from sight, Dearth turned to Rihanna, "You can come out now if you wish." Dearth informed. Rihanna walked out and sat on the stool. Soon, Ronin walked in,

"How was it?" Ronin asked,

"Didn't say a word but I can understand why." Dearth replied. Ronin sat on the next stool,

"There was something I think you should know about." Dearth whispered,

"What?" Ronin asked. Dearth handed Ronin a tape,

"It surveillance from earlier. There's a VCR in the back you can use. I'll keep an eye on Rihanna." Dearth explained. Ronin walked into the back and played the tape, afterwards, Ronin called up Nya,

"Is something wrong Ronin?" Nya asked,

"Yeah. Would it any trouble for Rihanna to crash at the bounty?" Ronin asked,

"Not at all. Why?" Nya asked,

"I'll explain there." Ronin explained,

"Ok. See you soon." Nya stated as they hanged up,

"Come on Rihanna. We're paying the ninjas a visit." Ronin explained,

"Ok." Rihanna quietly replied,

"Safer there huh?" Dearth whispered,

"Yeah. Thanks anyways." Ronin stated,

"Any time." Dearth replied.

Rex latched onto the bounty and Ronin and Rihanna walked out,

"Hey. Nya told us." Kai stated,

"Where's Lloyd?" Ronin asked,
"Dining room." Kai replied,

"Rihanna, are you ok out here with Kai?" Ronin asked,

"If you trust him." Rihanna replied. Ronin smiled at his niece and walked to the dining room where Lloyd was reading through one of Wu's old journals,

"What's up?" Lloyd asked, eyes not leaving the book,

"Rihanna's father is looking for her and this is the safest place I knew." Ronin explained,

"Nya told us that. Why did you come to me?" Lloyd asked,

"I need your help to make him stop. Rihanna can't stay here forever and he's on there streets. The police haven't been able to catch him." Ronin explained,

"How bad is he?" Lloyd explained,

"If I didn't stop him, he would've tortured Rihanna into a heartless killer. That's all I know." Ronin explained,

"We'll help. You keep on doing what you need to. We don't want you to lose Rihanna. She'll be safe with us. Is there any images of him?" Lloyd asked,

"Dearth gave footage of him earlier today." Ronin explained as he handed over the tape,

"Thanks. You should make sure Rihanna's comfortable here." Lloyd stated. Ronin smiled and walked back out and to Rihanna,

"Are you ok here without me?" Ronin asked,

"If you trust them, they're safe." Rihanna replied,

"If you want me to come get you or something, tell Nya to call me." Ronin instructed,

"Ok. Why aren't you staying?" Rihanna asked,

"Because there's not enough room here for me and I need to move to the new place so you can live with me." Ronin explained,

"Ok." Rihanna replied as Nya walked out,

"Hey." Nya greeted,

"Hey." Ronin replied as Rihanna waved,

"Hope you don't mind but since there's no spare room you're gonna have to bunk with me and Pixal. Is that ok with you Rihanna?" Nya asked,

"Uncle Ronin trusts you so it is ok with me." Rihanna replied when Ronin's phone rang,

"Hello. Ok. Thanks. Bye." Ronin spoke,

"Who was it?" Nya asked,

"The commissioner. Rihanna, later do you wanna get some stuff from your place?" Ronin asked,
"Ok." Rihanna replied.

Ronin had to leave to answer questions at the police department and Rihanna was sitting on the deck when little Wu ran out,

"Wu! Wu where did you go?" Cole called out. Wu looked at Rihanna before sitting next to her as Cole rushed out, "There you are. Misako wants you." Cole informed when he saw Rihanna, "Hey. Rihanna right?" he asked,

"Yeah." Rihanna replied,

"Heard what happened, sorry to hear." Cole stated,

"Why are you saying sorry? You didn't do anything wrong." Rihanna asked,

"It's a why of showing that you understand how someone feels." Cole explained,

"Oh." Rihanna muttered,

"Hey why don't you come inside? It's starting to cool down." Cole stated. Rihanna shuffled inside when Nya walked up to her,

"Hey Rihanna. You doing ok?" Nya asked,

"Why did mummy die?" Rihanna asked,

"I don't know but we will find out. Ok?" Nya asked,

"Ok." Rihanna replied,

"Hey do you like to bake?" Nya asked,

"Yeah." Rihanna replied,

"I hear Zane is baking right now. Wanna see if he needs help?" Nya asked,

"If I'm allowed and if I am, would you be able to help?" Rihanna asked,

"I can't help but I can stay in the kitchen." Nya explained,

"Ok." Rihanna replied.

Nya lead Rihanna to the kitchen where Zane was setting up,

"Hello ladies. How can I help you?" Zane asked,

"Do you need a little help?" Nya asked, indicating Rihanna,

"You may if you wish." Zane replied. Nya helped Rihanna wash her hands and Zane found a spare apron and adjusted it to fit Rihanna,

"So what are we going to make?" Rihanna asked,

"Sugar cookies." Zane explained. Nya watched as the 2 cooked, Nya sometimes getting asked to assist Rihanna. Soon the dough was rolled out,

"Do you want to take over cutting the shapes?" Zane offered,

"What cookie cutters do you have?" Rihanna asked. Nya chuckled as she got 4 small boxes of cookie cutters, "Whoa." Rihanna quietly stated,

"Take your pick." Nya stated. Rihanna and Zane cut the dough and Zane placed them in the oven,

"What smells good?" Cole asked as he poked his head in,

"Sugar cookies made by Zane and Rihanna." Nya explained,

"Yes!" Cole stated,

"In 10 minuets. We'll ice them but for now, we got to start cleaning before we make the icing." Zane explained as started to collect the bowls,

"You make your own icing?" Rihanna asked as she began to collect the utensils,

"Yes I do." Zane replied. Nya helped the 2 clean and by the time they were done, the cookies were ready. Zane removed the cookies from the oven and set them aside as they made the icing and coloured them different colours. They iced the cookies and finished as Ronin returned. Kai told Ronin where Rihanna was and Ronin walked into Rihanna smiling as she iced cookies. Ronin smiled as he remembered how he and Rani would bake and ice cookies as children,

"Hey kiddo." Ronin stated. Rihanna looked up with a smile and skipped over to her uncle and gave him a hug,

"Uncle Ronin. We made cookies and Zane makes his own icing and dough and he let me design all the cookies." Rihanna stated,

"That's awesome. Can't wait to see them." Ronin replied,

"Did you and mummy make cookies as kids?" Rihanna asked,

"All the time. Your mum would make the best cookies in the world. She was the cook of our family." Ronin explained,

"I miss her." Rihanna stated, looking down,

"I miss her too but we gotta stay strong for her ok?" Ronin explained,

"Ok." Rihanna replied,

"Wanna go get your things now?" Ronin asked,

"Do you need anymore help Zane?" Rihanna asked,

"I got it from here. Thank you for your help." Zane replied,

"It's ok. Ok Uncle Ronin." Rihanna replied.