Time passed, Clara continued her training and Zane had a new hobby, trying to locate Echo.
It was during one of his searches that Zane came back to Shinrin Town.
He had gotten word about a droid buying new parts at a local auto body shop, but when he went himself to ask about it, it turned out to be a dead end.
The droid that had visited the auto body shop was Latte, the coffee shop manager.
Zane sighed, walking dejectedly down the road to head back to the monastery when he suddenly noticed something curious.
Clara was right across the street in a park with another woman and three boys running around. But he did not drive her here.
'One of the others must have driven her over instead.' He flinched at his, he felt bad that he had forgotten to take her back and forth for work and family ever since he became preoccupied with his search for Echo.
Perhaps he should go over and apologize, plus he couldn't help but be curious.
As Zane walked over Clara looked surprised but smiled "Hey Zane what are you doing here?"
"I was following a lead on Echo." Zane replies.
Clara is about to reply but first says to the boys "Hey no pushing, one at a time."
The boys seemed to not hear her as she went over and said "Any news." as she separated them.
"Sadly no." Zane shook his head.
Clara came back over with a toddler as she said "I'm sorry to hear that."
"It is okay, I have not given up hope." Zane smiles.
Clara is about to reply when "What did I say about pushing." Clara glares at the boys as the other woman, the mother most likely, calls them.
"Sorry, you have to keep your eyes constantly on them." Clara sighs.
Zane chuckles as he replies "It reminds me somewhat of Lloyd when he was still a child."
"Oh yeah I remember hearing that, he was just a tiny thing before that whole tomorrow's tea thing right?" Clara chuckles.
Zane chuckles as well but before he can say anything he senses danger and catches a rock before he is hit in the head.
Clara gasps as she looks to her other nephews, between 3-4 and exclaimed "No you can't do that, say sorry." She points to Zane but the boy runs off till his mother grabs him and carries him to Zane.
"Now say sorry." the mother said.
The boy looked ready to cry, but Zane leaned down and gave a comforting smile "It is okay I was not hurt, but that could have hurt if I had not caught it."
"That was so cool, he's like a Ninja!" A 7-8 year old said.
Before Zane could reply Clara shook her head. Zane closed his mouth and instead said "Thank you, do you like Ninja?"
"Yeah I'm gonna be a Ninja someday. Ha yah!" the oldest shouted as he did kicks and punches.
Zane chuckled as the second oldest said "Me Ninja, ha ya!" he yelled, copying his brothers.
Clara rolled her eyes and said "Ninja protect people, not throw rocks."
The two just ran off making more battle noises as they did,the two women shaking their heads.
"Sorry about that Zane but I've decided it's best they don't know about me being a Ninja. You know, if I start getting enemies it wouldn't do for them to start saying their aunt is a Ninja." Clara frowns.
"Ah, I understand. They are a bit young to understand the dangers." Zane nods.
Suddenly the toddler threw his arms out towards Zane and he was surprised.
The woman laughed as Clara smiles "It seems he likes you, he's not this friendly with strangers usually."
"I am honored he thinks highly of me." Zane chuckles.
He could see the baby fussing and asked "May I…" he pointed to him as he looked at the mother.
The long haired brunette looked to her sister and she nodded as she handed over the baby.
Zane was very gentle with him as the little one smiled and patted his shoulder, Zane smiled back and said "I have never held an infant before."
"He's more of a toddler now actually." Clara smiles.
"Yes that is true, but still this is a first for me. He seems much calmer than his brothers."
Clara chuckles "For now. Anyway this is my sister Tora and her three boys, the baby is Theo, the rock thrower is Enzo, and the big guy is Asher."
"Nice to meet you, sorry about that." Tora sighs.
"It is okay, I understand that they can be wild at this age." Zane replies.
"You have no idea." Tora rolls her eyes "So Clara's talked alot about you."
Clara glared at her sister at this, 'I said that in confidence.'
Her sister just smirked as Zane felt his heart seem to heat up 'I must have Jay or Nya take a look at that.' It had started becoming more frequent lately.
"Oh she has, well she is a very good friend and a good student as well. She has improved quickly in her lessons." Zane smiles proudly.
"Really, do you two spar much?" Her grin grows and Clara is giving a death glare now.
Zane could sense the hostility from Clara towards her sister but he was not sure why?
Suddenly the boys rushed back, Asher saying "Mom we're tired can we get ice cream?"
"Ice cream!" Enzo cheered.
"Augh, I don't have any for now sorry." Tora sighed.
"I do, come on, it'll be my treat." Clara smiles.
The boys cheer as "What do we say?" Tora asks.
"Thank you aunty!" The boys cheer.
Clara then tries to take Theo but he wouldn't budge, scrunching up Zane's clothes to stay near and giving little baby yells.
"Theo!" Clara chuckles as Zane flushes "You have to let go of Zane, he has things to do."
"Actually I do not have anything to do at the moment, I would not mind accompanying you all." Zane replied.
Asher then asked teasingly "Aunty is he your boyfriend."
Her sister, instead of saying anything, just laughed her head off.
Clara yelled "TORA!"
As the older boys laughed.
Zane was quite flushed at this as he replied "Oh, no, Clara and I are only friends. We are not in a relationship."
"Yeah, just friends." Clara replied, flustered and a little downhearted by what he said.
"Why not, you need a boyfriend." Asher pointed at her and Clara wanted to dig a hole and hide.
Zane tipped his head and replied "A person does not necessarily need a partner and Clara is quite an independent person."
"But…" Asher starts when Tora says "Hey now people have boyfriends or girlfriends when they want to not because you say so. Now let's go."
Asher whined "Okay…" as they started walking.
As they do, Tora hangs back with Clara a moment and says "I like him."
Clara smiles, glad her sister approved.
It wasn't long till they got to the ice cream shop as it was just across the street.
Zane was insistent on helping Clara pay as it was the gentleman thing to do, even if Clara tried to tell him not to.
The kids were all happy with their ice cream and Tora thought as she licked her own coffee ice cream 'He even helped pay for me. Clara you better keep him.'
As the kids ate happily Clara looked on happily, helping clean their faces when needed too.
"You are quite adept at helping with your nephews." Zane smiles, finally free of Theo as Clara has gotten him off of Zane with ice cream. Not that he would have minded holding the little one longer.
Clara replied while cleaning Enzo's face "I've practically helped raise each of them, hey stay still." he tells the boy as she finishes up.
Zane chuckles, Clara's nephews were sure lively.
"I can see why you like to visit so much." Zane replies.
"Yeah, I get sad if I don't see them after a while. My little trouble makers." she kisses Enzo's cheek who whines and she laughs.
Zane laughed as well.
Ninjago
After helping Tora get the boys in the car, and cleaning up the ice cream mess, Clara said she was going back to the monastery with Zane so it wouldn't take so long.
As they reached the forest where his bike was though….
"I apologize Clara, I forgot that you are afraid of motorcycles." Zane looks worried at her.
Clara sighed saying "It's fine, as long as you don't get upset if I squeeze you too hard and maybe yell a little."
Zane smiles as he replies "Not at all, I promise, you will not fall."
Clara couldn't help but flush at this but smiled as she agreed to this.
The ride was just as they both said, Clara held on very tight and even yelled a little at some bumps, but she never once fell as Zane promised.
Though for some reason during the whole time his heart kept heating up 'I truly must have this checked out.' he thought
Once they were at the monastery and Clara could walk properly again Pixal came up and said "Ah you have returned, good, Sensei wishes to talk to everyone upstairs."
They both looked curious at this as they all headed up, wondering what Wu wanted.
As they all entered the living room Wu stood in the middle as everyone else either stood or sat around.
As he saw them enter he said, "Ah good, everyone is here. I have a favor to ask of you all."
"Sure Sensei what is?" Lloyd smiled.
"Well you see, I have an old friend who does play for children but all his actors and stage crew have fallen ill." Wu starts.
"Wow, now that's bad luck." Kai frowns.
"Yes, well I was hoping that you all would help in putting the play up and acting as he has no time or money to get anyone else." Wu finishes.
"Oh this sounds like so much fun, we should do it!" Clara jumps, excited.
"It does, what play are we doing Sensei?" Jay asks.
"Little Red Riding Hood. I have your scripts for the story already and what still needs to be fixed for the show."
"I can work on what's still needed for the show, I'm not much of an actor." Nya sighs.
"Really I think you'd be pretty good at it." Jay rubs the back of his head flushing.
Nya smiled at that as Jay said "Well if Nya's not gonna be in the play I can help with the stage props as well."
"What really, since when do you give up the chance to be in the spotlight?" Cole smirks.
"Hey, this is about the kids." Jay crosses his arms.
"You sure it's not because you wanna stay with Nya." Clara smirks, making everyone laugh except Jay.
Nya comes up and hugs him, making him smile.
"What about you Pixal, you want to act?" Clara asks.
"I believe I am not the best when it comes to 'pretending', but I can help in directing." Pixal smiles.
"Um, wait a minute, if Nya and Pixal aren't acting then we only have Clara to act. How are we gonna do a play that mostly has girls in it?" Kai asks, confused.
"I think I may have an idea?" Wu smirks with a twinkle in his eyes.
Ninjago
It was the day of the play and several children sat about in front of a small stage, excitingly waiting for the show to start.
Backstage though the Ninja were a little less than thrilled for this.
"I can't believe Sensei is making us do this. He made me Little Red Riding Hood!" Kai shouted in anger. As he glared at the red hood and basket.
"At least you do not look silly." Zane frowned as he looked at his granny costume, he wore a bonnet and moomoo for his part, along with a pair of glasses.
He would have used his hologram but Wu forbade it, saying the children were excited to see the Ninja acting out the fairytale.
"Ah come on guys it's not that bad." Cole smiles in his huntsman outfit, which didn't look that different to the outfit he wore when he was a lumberjack.
"It is for the kids." Lloyd nodded, wearing a fancy suit and fake mustache, he would be playing Little Red's father.
The two still gumbled or held sour faces as Clara came up and said "Come on it's just a show. I mean how do you guys think I feel about the wolf being the bad guys, again. But I'm doing it because it helps to teach kids to stay away from strangers."
The guys flinched, it was true, for some reason in fairy tales the wolf was always being made a bad guy. But Clara would be playing the big bad wolf as her powers made it the perfect role for her.
"Well it is for the kids." Kai sighs.
Suddenly they heard "Oh you all look so great!"
They all looked back to see Wu's friend, Koko, come up to them as she said "Thanks again for helping out on this, I never expected my team to fall ill at the same time."
"Well goes to show you should never order from Chewy Jims again." Kai shivers.
"You got that right, well, break a leg out there and have fun." Koko waved as she headed out to announce the show.
"We should get into place." Clara replied.
They all nodded and headed to their spots, the show would start any moment.
Ninjago
Koko stood on the stage and announced "Hello kids, it's so good to see you all here for the show. And you all know who the special guests are for today right?"
"The Ninja!" the kids shouted.
"That's right, the Ninja were nice enough to help with our play today. So give them a hand!" Koko cheers as the kids clapp.
After a bit Koko settles them down "Very good everyone, now it's time for our show, Little Red RidingNinja!"
The kids cheered once more and once settled down the curtains opened up.
The set was that of a small house and a garden where Kai was standing as he waved.
Koko then went on saying "Once upon a time there was a young man named Little Red. He was called that because he loved to wear a red hood."
Kai looked at his hood and made sure it was clean, making the kids giggle.
One day Little Red's father asked him a favor.
Lloyd then walked out on stage, the kids getting excited as they pointed him out. Lloyd gave them a quick smile before saying "Little Red, I need your help."
Kai came up asking "What is it dad?"
"Your grandmother is sick and needs help getting better. Can you deliver this basket of food and medicine for her?" Lloyd asked.
"Of course, I'll be there in no time." Kai grabbed the bag and was about to rush off, but Lloyd stopped him.
"Wait Little Red, remember the rules when you go into the forest, follow the path and don't talk to strangers!"
"Yeah, yeah I know." Kai waved him off, making the kids laugh.
Backstage Pixal frowned "Saying that was not in the script."
Koko chuckled as she said "Oh don't worry, the point of the story is to entertain the kids and he's doing a good job. Besides in acting sometimes you just have to go with the flow."
Pixal took that in curiously 'Go with the flow?'
Back on stage, after switching scenes, Kai was now walking through the forest.
"Okay so all I have to do is stick to the path, what could go wrong." Kai shrugs as the kids chuckle.
Koko composed herself and then said "Unknown to Little Red, someone else was in the forest, a Big Bad Wolf and she was hungry."
Suddenly Clara was stalking about the fake trees in her wolf form, and hid behind a rock as she shushed the kids making them gasp.
"Who's that? Is she a new Ninja? I've never heard of her. Are those real? Of course not?" the kids replied.
Clara peeked behind the rock and sniffed the air as she went "MMMM that basket of goodies is so good and I'm so hungry. Maybe I can trick him to give it to me."
"No, no, go away! Watch out Little Red." the kids called.
But Kai pretended not to hear them as he went on and Clara showed herself as she said "Well hello there."
Kai jumped and got in a fighting stance "Who are you?"
"I'm just a very hungry wolf, could you spare a meal?" Clara pointed to the basket with big eyes.
"Sorry wolfy, but this basket's for my granny, she's feeling sick." Kai shrugs.
"Oh that's too bad." Clara said as if she cared "You know what makes people feel better instantly. Flowers?"
Kai raised a brow. "Well I guess but I don't have any."
"Oh don't worry, there's plenty of flowers not far off the path. And you definitely cut time going through there then taking the whole path." Clara smiles.
"Sorry I'm not supposed to go off the path. Though, I really would rather get there faster." Kai thought aloud.
Clara just stood there standing with a smile and said "Well It was just a suggestion, I'll be on my way now." She waves as she heads off, but is actually hiding behind a tree.
Kai looks to be thinking for a bit and says "Well what could it hurt." he shrugs as he steps off the path.
"No Little Red no, go back!" the kids called, as Kai continued.
Once Kai is out of the scene, Clara comes out and says "Oh boy he listened, now I can go to the grannies house and prepare to steal his goodies." and with that she ran off.
As the stage set was being changed Koko spoke "Now the Big Bad Wolf headed to grannies house, and unknown to granny she was gonna have a very bad visitor."
As the curtains open thet show Zane sitting in bed in a cottage as the kids laughed. He sighed and started his lines "Oh my, I feel terribly ill. I hope Little Red will come soon with my goodies."
The kids clapped, excited to see another Ninja.
Then Zane heard a knock on the door and asked "Who is it?"
Clara lowered her voice and said "It's me Little Red, I've come with goodies granny."
"Little Red, you sound strange, are you getting sick as well?" Zane asked.
"I think so." she coughs.
"Come in outside of the cold then." Zane called.
"Of course." Clara called before coming in and howled.
The kids jumped and Zane pretended to be scared "Run granny run!" the kids shouted.
"You're not Little Red." Zane pointed.
"No but he will be soon." Clara smirked as she grabbed Zane out of the bed and hid him in the closet after stealing some of the clothes in it so she could dress up as the granny.
"Now he'll have to give me the goodies." Clara smiled.
"Don't you dare touch my Little Red." Zane called from the closet.
"Not one hair as long as he gives me the basket." Clara replied as she went to sit on the bed and put the covers up to her face.
Not long after the door knocked and the kids called for Kia to run away.
"Who's there?" Clara said in a frail tone.
"It's me granny, Little Red. I've come with goodies and some flowers for you." Kai replied.
"Oh how sweet of you, please come in." Clara called.
As Kai came in he said "Hello granny, how are you?"
"So ill my child, please come closer." Clara begged.
Kai nodded as he did so and as he did he siad "Why granny what big eyes you have?"
"The better to see you with, my dear."
"And granny what big ears you have."
"The better to hear you with, my dear."
"And granny, what big teeth you have!" Kia jumped.
"The better to eat those goodies with!" Clara jumped with a howl as the kids screamed for Kia to run.
Kai jumped and the flowers flew in the air as he ran from Clara who chased him, the kids laughing at it all.
The curtains fell and Koko started "Now nearby a huntsman was chopping wood and he heard the shouts."
The curtain opens to show the forest angina and Cole taking down a fake tree when he hears the shouting and says "that sounds like it coming from granny's house, I better go check it out!"
He rushes off as the kids clapp pointed out that it was Cole the earth Ninja.
The stage changes again and we're back in the house.
Kai is tied up and Clara has the basket on the table as she rubs her hands saying "Oh boy a whole meal just for me."
"That basket isn't for you!' Kai struggled.
"Well now it is." Clara smiles as she opens the basket but suddenly Cole kicks the door open and Clara jumps "Oh no the Huntsman."
"That's right and you're in trouble wolfy, now hand over the basket." Cole shouts as he lunges at her with his ax.
Clara shrieks at this when suddenly the closer door opens and Zane calls "Stop!"
They all freeze as Zane goes over to free Kai and then puts Cole's ax down and then turns to the wolf and says "Now what you did was very wrong but I know why you did it. You're very hungry aren't you?"
Clara was surprised at the change of things but then sniffed saying "I'm starving!"
"See the wolf isn't bad, the wolf is starving, she needs to survive as much as any of us." Zane explains.
Pixla was shocked. "That was not in my script."
Koko smiled "This is better, who needs the same old story and it shows about certain issues that need to be addressed."
Back on stage Kai and Cole were surprised but decided to go with it. "Well you didn't hurt anyone but it was still wrong." Kai nods.
"It's my fault, I've been over hunting, so there's no food for you to eat, is there?" Cole asks.
Clara nods sadly with a whine.
The kids aw at this as Zane then said "Well then how about we all share this meal and several after that until the forest is better again, and you Huntsmen no more over hunting."
"Yes ma'am" Coel smirks, making Zane frown.
"And I promise never to go off the path again granny or talk to strangers." Kai promised.
"That's very good, now let's all eat." and with that they all sat at the table as the curtain closed.
Koko then says "And so it seems everyone learned a lesson that day, not everything is as it seems, don't judge quickly, and also respect nature. For you never know who you could be hurting. And with this they all lived happily ever after the end."
The kids cheered and everyone went on stage to give a bow. They then took a moment to talk to the kids and some even came up to Clara excited to see that her ears and tails were real.
Let's just say the kids were busy petting her ears and tail after that, saying how fluffy she was, and excited they had a new Ninja that was a girl around.
Zane couldn't help but smile at the attention she got and once they all left Clara came up to him and said "Hey so why did you change the story all of a sudden like that?"
"It is true Zane, you are not usually the type to divert from a plan." Pixal spoke up.
"It did take us for a loop." Kai nods.
"I apologize, but when Clara explained that she did not like the wolf always being a bad guy but that she would be the bad guy to show the importance of stranger danger I could not help but feel it was not right to have the story end like this. Besides, the wolf in this story never truly did anything, but tried to survive."
"And it gives the story a new perspective, I love that twist it's exactly what we needed. Thanks for that." Koko said as she came up.
"Yes my students, the ability to adapt and show there is more than one side to a story is very important for a Ninja to know. I am proud of all of you for your hard work." Wu smiles as they smile back, all glad that everything went well.
As they headed home though Clara noticed something off about Zane "You okay?" She stepped beside him.
"I am just wondering, what was my fathers side to the story? More importantly, will knowing it somehow help Echo?" Zane frowns.
"The truth is the truth, but only the person who hears it can choose to accept it." Clara replies.
Zane was surprised by her words and smiled "You are quite wise."
Clara smiles back and shrugs "I try."
The two laugh at this and for the moment everything felt peaceful.
If only things could stay like that.