Chapter 10
A huge hello and thank you to RandomDragon 2.0 for your review, I love seeing how you are thinking through what is happening. Maybe we'll see that mysterious dragon again, eh?
:)
The next couple of days passed by in an uncomfortable blur of sleep, medication, a pinch of grumbling, more medication and a lot more sleep, whether that had been induced by some of Wu's strongest teas or sheer exhaustion. But on the Friday evening Kai awoke, and for the first time since they had got him home (an adventure in itself, but a tale for another day) he appeared alert and more importantly, lucid. Or as lucid as Kai got…
Nya had been by his side tirelessly, comforting him, wiping down his brow whilst the fever rampaged through him, coaxing him to just swallow the medicine Kai! And listening to him, although most of what he had been muttering was unintelligible and jumbled. They had not heard from Skylor, and the general consensus over the breakfast table on the Thursday was to leave well alone for the moment. None of them knew what had gone so drastically wrong, especially considering how deliriously happy they had both seemed. The team agreed to wait until they could get a more coherent explanation from Kai, and then only become involved if it was deemed necessary.
But once he was fully awake it was sorely obvious that discussing the events of Wednesday morning were definitely still off limits for the red ninja; he was obviously still licking his wounds.
"But I'm fed up of lying in bed now, Nya! All I want to do is go downstairs and stretch my legs!" He had his arms folded, stubborn attitude written across his forehead. She sighed, looking at her brother and noted that she probably would not win this one. And besides, he had been cooped up in his room for a while now. Kai could see his sister's gaze softening, and knew he was persuading her. It would just require a little more charm.
"Purlease?" He batted his eyelashes at her, lop sided smile reaching full beam. Sighing, she lightly punched him on the arm.
"I know full well what you are doing, Mr Charmer, and you know it won't work on me."
Really? You sure about that?
"Oh but Nya, I'm feeling so much better! My head doesn't hurt or anything!" His eyes were widening now for full affect, and she felt her resolve give.
"Ok, ok. But the minute you get tired you are back up here. Promise?"
"I promise."
"Good. Come on then." She held out her hand and the stripy pyjama clad ninja eagerly started to swing his legs round off his bed, putting his weight tentatively onto his feet and slowly straightening up.
"Feel ok?" She asked, and Kai nodded.
"Yep. All is good." He felt a little weak, yes, but he was ok. He could almost punch the air with elation. His head felt more or less clear, and yes he guessed training would still be off for a couple of days at least, but he was up and feeling better.
Nya insisted on helping him down the stairs, although he definitely did not need it. Something, however, made him pause before he pushed that heavy oak door to the open plan kitchen and lounge. He could hear the others; Jay's loud excited voice telling some lame joke, Cole and Lloyd groaning whilst Zane asked for clarification on said joke. Kai could feel the trepidation building.
"It'll be ok, come on." Nya smiled and took him by the elbow, and they pushed the door open together.
As soon as the door was open they fell upon him, crying his name and covering him in hugs and fist bumps. Eventually Nya shooed them away, clearing a path for her sibling to flop onto the sofa. Jay was energetic and loud as usual, trying to fill him in on what he had apparently missed over the couple of days he had been in bed, out of it. Seemingly this was not a lot, but Jay was going to make sure he was filled in on every detail of how they had been working together on some new combat moves. Cole had made cake (the only thing Cole could make which was edible, Kai smirked), and the earth ninja proudly brought a huge slab of it over which Kai happily indulged on, not realising how hungry he was until he started to pick at the thick, chocolate icing. Zane sat quietly, chipping in to Jay's story to elaborate on or correct details, whilst Lloyd just sat back quietly, watching his brother with concern behind his eyes. Kai tried to avoid those bright, unnaturally green eyes. He did not want to even try to explain any of his actions yet. It stung too much, and if he pretended it hadn't happened, maybe…
"So are we going to talk about it?" Green eyes were now piercing into him. Oh.
"Erm, I don't know what you mean." Kai tried to skirt around the subject, quickly.
"Come off it Kai. We all saw how upset you were. We know it had something to do with Skylor…"
Kai stood up, a little too quickly, knocking the last of his cake onto the floor. The room hushed as Kai held the green ninja's, his leader's, gaze. Not defiantly or indignantly, which if Lloyd's words had not hurt so much he would most likely have done. But with pain. And sadness. This was not what Lloyd had been expecting, and his gaze softened. Kai turned and walked out, muttering about needing air. As he walked out he could hear Nya reprimanding Lloyd, but he did not care. He felt stifled, and he needed to get out and breath in the fresh, cool air outside.
Lloyd found him sat on the outer wall of the monastery, balanced with ease on the tall, rickety bricks. Kai did not acknowledge him as Lloyd effortlessly flipped up next to him, sitting down and following the red ninja's gaze. He was looking out towards the city's lights in the distance, twinkling in the night. It was breath-taking. They sat like this, silently, for a while; Kai watching the lights whilst Lloyd looked on, hugging his knees. Eventually, Kai turned to him.
"What do you want to know?" His voice was soft, almost a whisper, holding not a glimpse of the bravado and confidence mostly associated with the brash master of fire. By those that did not truly know him, that is.
Lloyd continued to look out to the skyline. "Just how to help you."
Kai snorted, causing Lloyd to raise an eyebrow at his brother.
"Well this is a turn of events! It's normally me advising you!"
"I know you see me as your little brother. And I see you as my big, annoying brother. But that means I am here for you too. I love you, man."
Kai's eyes flickered as the words stung him again, just as sharp and painful as the first time.
"I love you"
"Don't say that. Don't ever say that."
Lloyd exhaled, taking the now crying ninja into his arms, realisation gripping him.
"You told her you loved her."
Kai sobbed in response, unable to elaborate or explain. Lloyd just held on as his brother's tears racked his body, knowing Kai would explain in time.
Kai sat back up, sniffing and visibly trying to pull himself together. Lloyd stayed quiet, waiting.
"She flipped. It had all been so perfect, then she just flipped. She told me not to say that, and that she didn't need me. She doesn't need anyone." Kai sighed, looking back out to the city lights, a perplexed look covering his face.
"I've messed it all up Lloyd, as usual. Not thinking, just going straight in there like I always do. And now…" he faltered, tears threatening to well up once more. Lloyd felt like his heart was breaking seeing his brother like this.
He sighed, and turned Kai to look at him.
"Kai, she loves you."
Kai just looked confused, then resolute.
"Did you not just hear anything I just told you? She's done with me, I've scared her off or something." He bit his lip, struggling with what to say next. But Lloyd knew.
"Right, listen to me." Lloyd took Kai by the shoulders. "When you and Cole, Wu and Jay disappeared we thought you were dead at first. I had given up." Lloyd swallowed, hard. "But then Skylor and the others found us. Right when we needed them." Kai looked at him, he knew all this.
"Where is this going, Lloyd?", shrugging Lloyds hands off of him.
"When I had to tell her that you were gone and we didn't know if we would ever see you again, she was crushed. Devastated. I could see it in her eyes. But she is strong, possibly the fiercest woman I know after Nya." Kai smiled, that was true.
"She chose to carry on, she did not give up on you. Not like I nearly did. She's incredible, and I have no doubt that she loves you; I saw it in her eyes when I told her we thought you were gone. I saw it again when she looked at you after your accident with Jay's wild training dummy. And then you have to remember her past. She had no one growing up, she's always had to be independent. She couldn't even rely on her father, for FSM's sake! Of course she doesn't think she needs anyone. And maybe she doesn't." Lloyd paused, looking over to Kai.
"But love is not about needing someone. It's about appreciating someone, accepting them for all that they are. Growing and muddling through life and all it choses to throw at you together. She loves you, and I think that probably scares her a little. Probably more than a little! But you'll need to talk to her about that. Remember though that she chooses to be with you, and allowed herself to love you." He finally paused and took a breath. "Think about all she has been through. She is strong, she's fierce. At times she's terrifying! But she lets you love her. And I would bet my candy stash that she loves you too. Can't you see what that means to someone like Skylor?"
Kai was speechless, gazing at his younger brother and wondering when did he become so wise? He looked back over at the city, letting Lloyd's words sink in. He turned to his younger brother, his team mate, his leader, and right now apparently his mentor.
"You have a candy stash?!"
