A/N: Well, as you all might've noticed last chapter, Sensei Wu is present now, although he didn't say a word. But y'know…I figured he didn't need to say anything.

Please read and enjoy!

Chapter 5

This waiting.

I don't think I can take it.

It's only been eleven minutes since those nurses took Nya away, but it feels more like hours…more like an eternity. We had all moved from the entrance to the hospital to the waiting room next to it. Kai had taken to pacing back and forth muttering to himself, while Zane leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, surveying the number of other worriers in the pristine area. I simply stand by myself, glancing at the door Nya was taken through every few seconds.

Neither of us speaks. The soft murmurs and coughs of the surrounding people the only noise filling the void. Some of them peer at us curiously, and some sympathetically. But I'm not up for sating their curiosity or even accepting their pity. My mind is just too shrouded with thoughts of Nya's condition and what was happening to her behind those twin swinging, white doors.

But there's one particular thought that does cross my mind. Where's Cole…? Just as I ponder this, I hear rapid footfalls coming from the entrance. We all turn our heads to see our leader looking around anxiously. He spots us and comes our way, stopping in front of Zane.

"Where's Nya? Is she okay?" He asks breathlessly.

"We are still waiting for an update of her condition," Zane informs him, his hazel eyes flickering over to me before returning to the black ninja.

Cole looks to Kai and me. I can tell he feels guilty as he paces towards us—his posture deflated and his eyes downcast to the floor. "Kai…Jay, I'm so sorry. I worked so hard on that casserole and I still screwed it up."

Kai just looks at him.

"If anything happens to Nya I…" he stops, unable to complete his sentence and shakes his head as if to dispel the thought.

It not your fault, Cole… You didn't know she was allergic to wheat. None of us did, except for Kai. I was just about to say this when the former steps up to Cole and places a hand on his shoulder.

"No, Cole, you're not to blame for any of this." Consternated green eyes lift confusedly to meet Kai's gaze. "If anything…I am."

"What?" All three of us ask in unison.

"Of course I know she's allergic to wheat, I'm her brother!" He retorts, turning away from us. "It's just…well… I guess it's just been so long that neither of us has mentioned it. But my family never ate wheat or anything else that had wheat in it even before we found out Nya was allergic to it growing up. And after we all met, all the meals we ate together, even if there was bread on the table we never touched it. It became…natural I guess…"

We all are speechless for a moment as we absorb this new information.

"Kai, do you also share Nya's allergen?" Zane asks.

"No, I'm fine if I eat the stuff," the fire ninja replies stonily. "But, regardless, I should've said something! Argh!" In a fit of rage, my brother rams his fist in the nearby wall, causing most of the other people to gawk at us. Though Kai is none the wiser and continues to lament. "Now because of my negligence Nya might—"

"Excuse me. Are you all the ones who brought the young lady in?" A male voice suddenly asks from behind us.

We all whirl around to see an older man with glasses and a white coat holding a clipboard. Obviously he's one of the many doctors on staff here. And it looks like he's the one who's been treating Nya. "Y-Yes!" I run up to him, and the others follow closely behind me.

"Is Nya okay?" Kai puts forth next, stepping in between Cole and Zane.

"Are any of you blood relatives of the patient?" The doctor questions, a casual almost indifferent aura permeating the air around him.

"Yes, yes, yes, I'm her brother!" Kai snaps impatiently. "Is my sister okay?!" He repeats with growing intolerance of the doctor's attitude.

And he isn't the only one…

The man just slowly raises an eyebrow and adjusts his frames. "Yes. Your sister is fine thanks to—" But Kai cuts him off.

"That's all you had to say in the first place, dick—" We all react and hurriedly cover his mouth with our hands, although we can still hear him mumbling in rage.

"Thank you, doctor," Zane says politely, gracing the physician with an apologetic smile.

"Yeah, heh…please continue," Cole puts forth, grinning sheepishly as well.

"Yes." A sharp, dark eyebrow lifts at Kai, but thankfully, the elder man doesn't comment on the red ninja's manners. "As I was saying, your sister is fine thanks to the antihistamine that was already in her blood stream. After she was stabilized, we only had to flush her system," he elucidates with a cool, blunt tone, though the curtness was easily distinguishable as he glares at Kai, which the brunet returns a thousand-fold. I swear the guy should have burst into flames by now.

"That's awesome!" I was ecstatic, elated, thankful, and so many other emotions it was just too much. Nya was going to be alright. My body feels heavy from the sheer emotional blitzkrieg I had to endure, but I'm not fully satisfied. Not yet. "Is okay if we see her now?" I ask, struggling not to just push pass the guy.

The doctor straightens up even more if possible and replies, "Yes, that's fine. She is conscious and has been asking if they were four ninjas outside…" Unimpressed dark eyes give us a quick once over. "And judging from your less than dignified attires, I'd say she's expecting you. Through that door. Room 201," he finishes tonelessly, seeming more than ready to ignore us and jotting something down on his clipboard.

Okay, I just about had it with this guy! Are all doctors assholes nowadays? We release Kai wordlessly, each of us sending our own withering glare in the jerk's direction and run pass him. But at the last moment, Kai turns and flips him the bird before following us inside Nya's assigned room.

"Nya!" We all shout overjoyed upon seeing her.

The first gleam of a waxing gibbon shines through her window, casting a tranquil glow around the room. My girl is now dressed in a pale blue hospital gown and sitting under the covers in a comfy-looking bed. A moonbeam lights her profile as she turns to us, her vanilla skin pure and flawless amongst its beautiful radiance. An equally ecstatic smile curves her cherry lips upon seeing us, and her eyes have never looked brighter and more alive.

"Guys!"

We crowd around her bedside, each giving her a big hug. When I feel her arms encircle around me and pull me close, I feel I never wanted to let her go. I press my face into her silky, onyx tresses and inhale her intoxicating scent blissfully, letting the lilac and gooseberry aroma sooth my soul. Reluctantly, however, I pull back. But still unwilling to part from her too much, I park myself beside her on the neighboring chair.

"Nya, I'm sorry," I hear Cole say. "If I had known you were allergic to wheat, I never would've made that casserole. I would've made pork chops and rice instead."

"Heh heh, yeah, then we all would've been in the hospital." A congenial round of laughter permeates the sterile room at Kai's remark. It was a moment of relief and bonding—just a way for us to lighten the tension that had been wound around us previously.

"No, Cole," Nya says, shaking her head. The soft chocolate of her eyes dim in melancholy. "I'm the one to blame for this. I should have told you all a week ago when I mentioned I was allergic to perfume. I don't know why I didn't. If I had, all of this could've been avoided."

I place my hand on top of hers. "It's okay. You're okay. And that's all that matters," I assure, curling my fingers around hers gently. She blushes, but holds my gaze with her own.

"I'm sorry gentlemen, but visiting hours are over."

We all turn our heads to see a nurse standing in the door way. "Wait, she can't come home with us?" Kai asks incredulously, looking from his sister then back at the nurse.

The nurse steps into the room, her features serene. "I'm very sorry, but regulations state she must be kept overnight for observation." The soft luminosity gives her ginger hair a brilliant nuance under the fluorescents. And with each step towards us, two long, twin braids swing a bit as they lay across her shoulders and over her bust.

"If all goes well, then will she be discharged?" Zane asks.

"Yes, she will." The shapely nurse stops at the crux of our encirclement around Nya's bed and grins prettily at us, and I spot the attractive sprinkle of freckles along her plump cheeks. Her lime green eyes glimmer with patience and understanding, capitalizing off her overall vibe of maternal concern. Easy to say, her presence was a nice change from Dr. Stoic from earlier.

"Okay, well I guess we better go then, guys," Cole says, already heading for the door.

"We'll come get you first thing tomorrow morning, sis," Kai says and gives Nya one final hug before following after Cole.

"Yes, please rest well tonight," Zane voices as well, and makes his exodus too.

I move to get up, but Nya has a strong hold on my hand. I glance down at her, but her attention is on the nurse. "Can you give us just a few minutes please?" She asks, and the nurse inclines her head. She makes the short trek back towards the door and closes it with a soft click behind her.

Once we're alone, I can feel her eyes on me. A rush of blood warms my cheeks, which in turn causes my heart to pound as I sit back down beside her. I clear my throat awkwardly, struggling to find my voice. "Nya…? What is it…?" I ask tentatively, locking my eyes with hers.

Heartbeats of silence ensue. Her gaze is soft, but there's also the light of question within them. "Did you mean it…?" She asks softly.

My mind goes blank for a moment, but soon realization dawns on me.

She had heard what I said.

"While I was unconscious, I kept hearing your voice, Jay." Nya shifts slightly in her bed and lifts her hand to cup my cheek. I manage to swallow as the warmth of her palm caresses my face, and nostalgia tugs at my subconscious as my heart rate speeds up even more. "Can you repeat those words to me now? I want to hear…and see you say them..."

I can't move. I'm not even sure I'm breathing. All I feel is her hand on my face. All I can see is her soft chocolate orbs searching mine for answers. Is this it…? Can I really repeat those words now without a lick of shame or embarrassment? I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I've never been able to refuse her before…and I'm torn between regarding that as either a flaw or an attribute. I know if I pour my heart out to her now…there would be no going back. She could complete me…or shatter me.

I open my eyes, raise my hand, and place it over the one touching my face. This strong, young woman is the love of my life. I'll say what's in my heart…and hopefully… I blink. And without reservation, I let the words pour forth. "Nya, you can't leave me yet. There is still so much I have to tell you, to show you, to express to you. You have become everything to me. My beginning and also my end. There is no one in this world that has captivated me as you have. So you can't go. Because if you do, I'll simply follow, and that way…we'll be together for all eternity. I love you."

By the time I finish, crystalline tears are pouring down Nya's face. "Oh, Jay…I—"

"I know you don't feel that strongly for me." I can't help but lean into her touch, wondering if this will be the last time she will display such affection for me. "After all, we haven't been seeing each other for that long." I inhale a deep, shaky breath. "But I can't help how I feel. I'm sorry. I meant every word then as I mean every word now, I don't—"

She places a finger to my lips to silence me. "Jay…" she whispers, leaning in…pulling me closer, "I love blue. It's my favorite color."

Our lips meet…

And everything else…doesn't matter.

A/N: *sigh* I look at this…and then I look at canon…and I can't help but get upset. Because, instead of expanding on this established relationship, they decide to throw a wrench in it. And even though, as we all should know by now and if not (SPOLIER ALERT) Jay and Nya do end up together. The route to getting to that point where they were already there before seemed entirely unnecessary. In my humble opinion, season 3 onward in regards to Jay and Nya's relationship was put through avoidable ridiculousness. Nya completely astounded me with her level of stupidity, fickleness, and overall shallowness. But it wasn't just her: Jay was stupid and Cole was stupid, and the entire situation was handled extremely poorly and unrealistically. But to me, Nya was the dumbest of all. And despite Jay and Cole repairing their friendship or whatnot, not once (or at least I didn't see or hear) did Nya turn to Jay and say the words: "I'm sorry." When it was obvious that she needed to apologize instead of acting like the victim.

But what I'm really trying to understand is the editorial judgment passed on the script and screenplay. What exactly were the writers thinking? Why did they want their characters to act like stuff in past seasons never happened. Why did Nya act like her and Jay were NEVER in a relationship in season 6? Do they think we viewers have amnesia or something? Do the characters have amnesia? We're not fucking stupid! I understand the demographic for this show is young. Y7 I believe and older, but that's not the point. Yes, children may be easy to please, but they're not stupid, and such lazy and half-assed storytelling is just plain insulting to the viewers. I honestly have never seen such bad continuity in a show before. And it breaks my heart when such loved and cherished characters go through character degradation instead of development just to deliver some plot. And mediocre plot at that. It doesn't make sense. Because when you look at it, when the dust has settled and the end result is the same result before the conundrums began, you would innately think to yourself: Why have these characters go through such stupid shit to begin with? Especially when they could've just expanded on the relationship? *sigh* C'mon now…some effort would be appreciated writers.

I'm sorry if my vent rubbed anyone the wrong way. I'm not attacking anyone at all. It's just frustrating to witness such mindless debauchery. I mean, I really used to like Nya and now I kinda don't. She was much too mean to Jay with no apology uttered in his direction. And him just patiently taking her attitude with no rebuttal like some sort of "Yes Man"…I didn't like it. Everybody needs to learn that being a strong, independent woman does not equal being a complete and total bitch. There's a difference MEN, so please get your facts straight.

Not to say that Jay doesn't have his problems, because we all know he is far from perfect. Only that, there was no reason for her to lash out and rebuke Jay and the others just because she was upset. This is where maturity comes into play. Yes, I understand Dareth said a purely sexist remark about her being a girl and all (and to tell you the truth, that would upset any woman—tomboy or not), but she had to have noticed that Jay and Lloyd spoke up in her defense. I'm not sure why Kai didn't say anything… But being bull-headed and stubborn when the team you're on is trying to support you is stupid. Sweep your pride under the rug for a second and accept help from your teammates. There's absolutely nothing for you to be ashamed of, and think they are trying to coddle you because you're a different sex. Or if you are just misconstruing the "we're a team" message altogether. Turn your head to the right, Nya, Jay had his hand on your shoulder AND Lloyd's…was it Lloyd's…? Well it wasn't just hers I know that.

And let me just rant a little more and say this: Do the writers know that there's such a thing as female ninja? Do they understand the concept of kunoichi? Do they understand that women make badass warriors and assassins—some better than men? Because I honestly don't think they do. To me, Skylor wasn't the best example. Her role and characterization appeared too cliché and filler to be in-depth and expanded upon. So why not form a team of kunoichi with Nya and Skylor in it? And have that team combine with the Ninja? That way regardless of whether they decided to work together or separate, their exploits would still be seen as worthy feats and they'll be identified as heroes and heroines on their own terms.

But enough, I could go on and on about stuff that displeases me, but I'm not. Jay and Nya are considered a canon couple indefinitely now, so I guess that's a good thing. Not sure honestly, because I think Jay could do a hundred times better. But what do you guys think? Are you all content with canon? Do you think it could've been done better? Will the next season be a step in the right direction or will more stupidity be on the horizon. Rap with me if you want by either PM or review and we can share opinions. Please try to remember to sign in so I can reply back. See ya!

VelvetPersona