A/N: Isn't it amazing to go back and look at some of your oldest work and cringe because of how crappy and unprofessional it looks? That's what I'm experiencing! And what an experience it is!

Please read and enjoy!

Chapter 2

Damn you Kai! I bemoan as I race through the ship's interior. I don't stop until I'm safely in my room behind closed doors. I squeeze my eyes shut as I lean heavily against it. Okay, deep breath, Nya. You can plan a fate worse than death for your stupid brother later. Argghh! Why did he have to go and say that for anyway? The day had been going so well too…

I had adorned a new outfit this morning that I had bought yesterday during a supply run for our home. I have always loved cherry blossoms and the color reminded me of the evergreen trees that grew outside the Four Weapons blacksmith shop back where Kai and I grew up with our mother and father. I wanted to upgrade my Samurai Exosuit and had just finished a new barrier prototype for it. And since Jay knew a thing or two about defensive shields, I was going to ask him about some of the specs I had implemented. Sure, I didn't have to, because everybody knows I'm more than capable when it comes to mechanical engineering or anything of the like.

It was just…

Having calmed somewhat, I get off my door and walk over to my bed. And heaving an emotionally tired sigh, I flop face-down onto my plush pillows. Well, okay, I can't deny it was all just an excuse to talk to him. Ever since our date a week ago, my mind has just been enthralled by him. It was nice that I finally got him to relax and realize he didn't have to make stuff up to impress me. I guess that was the big icebreaker for him, because after that, he started to really open up to me and tell me more about him and his past, even if some of the things divulged were better left unsaid.

I roll over and look up at the ceiling with a small smile. Even though I didn't need to know he had somehow sprained his ankle while playing chess with his dad, or that he had written a poem about jelly beans, all of it was just so endearing to me. And not only because he was being honest with me, but because he was being honest with himself too. Not to mention, he's pretty good-looking…

Tch! Who am I kidding! The guy's gorgeous!

Chestnut brown hair, nice athletic build, and the deepest blue eyes I've ever seen—like pristine sapphires that no jeweler could hope to improve upon. But…he hasn't told me how he got that scar over his right eye. Hmmm, maybe I'll ask him about that the next time we get a chance to hang out. I turn my head to the left to look at my clock sitting on my nightstand:

5:06 P.M.

What the… Really? I've been closed off in my room thinking about Jay for two hours? Geez girl… I sit up, still staring confusedly at my clock. …you really got it bad.

*Knock knock*

"Hey, sis?! You in a coma or somethin'?!"

Speak of the devil… "What is it, Kai!" I yell back. The door handle turns and Kai pokes his head in.

"Good to see you're still alive," he quips, smirking. "Just wanted to let you know that Cole's making dinner and he promises it's going to be good. Though I don't know how reassuring his word is when it comes to the stuff he makes…"

I have to giggle when he cringes. "Really? What's he making?"

"Dunno," he shrugs. "But judging from the smell, I'm already second-guessing its edibility!"

I sigh and get up off the bed and walk towards my idiotic brother, who was currently busting a gut at someone else's expense.

*WHACK!*

"Ow! What the hell, Nya?!" Kai shouts painfully while clutching head.

"That's for embarrassing me earlier! And if you know what's good for you, you'll never say something like that again," I threaten, cracking my knuckles for emphasis. Kai gulps and nods hastily. "Now, back on our previous topic," I rebound with bright contentment. "I just don't get why Cole doesn't ask Zane for a few pointers. God knows he needs it." I bypass Kai and begin walking down the hall towards the dining room.

Kai jogs to catch up to me. "Because Cole doesn't think he needs it," he explains, falling in step with me. "I think if he just picked two things that actually went together, it would at least turn out edible. I mean seriously, what the hell is duck chowder!"

I giggle at this as we round the corner to the dining room. Everyone is seated already and talking quietly amongst themselves. Apparently, Kai and I aren't the only one's nervous about Cole's "special dinner". I watch as my brother saunters over to take a seat beside Zane. Jay laughs at something the white ninja says, and glances up at Kai in greetings. He then turns and looks at me. I can feel the blood rush to my cheeks as his blue gaze searches mine in a silent question: "Are you okay?"

I steel myself and give a slight nod as I make my way over to sit beside Kai, which coincidently leaves me directly across from Jay. What the hell are you thinking, girl?! Slick move, genius! I inwardly growl at myself. I clench my knuckles in my lap and bow my head.

"Um…Nya?" Jay starts, but doesn't get a chance to finish.

"DINNER IS SERVED!" Cole shouts excitedly as he bursts out from the kitchen with a large pan in his hands. "I hope you guys are hungry, cuz this is my second greatest culinary achievement!" He boasts with an obvious puff to his chest.

Remind me again which was the first…? He sets the pan down on the table and removes the lid… And the most bizarre mixture of odors wafts from the bubbling mass of sickly goo and assaults my nose. It smells like a fish had died and the rest of the fish sent flowers in condolences. What the hell…?

"It smells quite interesting, Cole. I can't wait to taste it," Zane says while offering his plate to the ninja leader, so he could serve him some.

"Please, Cole, serve everyone while you're at it. This meal seems the most promising yet," Sensei Wu instructs with a wave of his hand.

"Sure thing, Sensei!" Cole says happily, and proceeds to place large chunks of…whatever he made on our plates. I look up at Jay and see him smile at me.

I give him a small smile in return. Just get through this Nya… It's just dinner, right? Nothing's going to happen, right…?

Right…?

A/N: Poor Nya… You used to be so amazing… Such a shame what the creators did to you… RIP Season 1 and 2 Nya… You will always be the version I portray. *Hugs sadly*