A/N: And we're back… Damn, this is tedious work! XD

Please read and enjoy!

Chapter 8

This is…my mother's brooch… But how…? It was buried with her…wasn't it…?

I sit before my vanity mirror, staring at the immaculate amethyst and diamond pendant attached to my suit. My fingers grasp around the piece of jewelry, but I can't will my hands to tug it free. No…that's not right… I can't tug it free. I lower my hand and continue to stare at it through the mirror's reflection.

"Could this really be yours, Mom…? It's true I always thought of you while training, but…what was so different this time…? Was it really just because of my heart…? Because…I'm together with Jay…? And this power… I'm…the Kunoichi of Wind…?"

I stand up from my seat and look about my trashed room… Huh…I guess I'd be more upset if I wasn't in so much shock. Kai and the others must've had a tough time finding my stash of antihistamines. I sigh and set about cleaning my room, my mind still a whirlwind of tumultuous thoughts.

And speaking of which, how come Kai didn't say anything about it? All I heard him do was grumble about how my new attire was too "revealing". I roll my eyes. Not only does he look like him, but Kai is really shaping up to be just like our father… My movements seem to halt on their own. I hold my crumbled up blouse listlessly. Dad… I squeeze my eyes shut in a vain effort to block out the memory. Reminiscing about my mother was one thing, but my father… Well…that was dangerous territory. And I don't need the added stress right now.

Shaking myself mentally, I smooth out the fabric and fold it up before putting it back in my dresser. What I really should be doing is focusing on the here in now. Which means…I've got to master Spinjitzu! And my element! Furthermore, I'm a kunoichi now, not a samurai. Not like…him.

I shake my head roughly and berate myself. "Stop it, Nya! Just stop it!"

With renewed focus, I tackle the chore of cleaning my room with obstinate resolve, only letting prevalent thoughts scour my mind. "Spinjitzu…Spinjitzu…" Ah! That's right! Kai had once told me they had figured it out just by going through the motions of the training course. And I remember almost innately going through that place countless times trying to beat my brother's record.

"I can do it. The next chance I get, I'm going to try it out." I smooth out the sheets on my bed and straighten my pillows. Good, I'm finished. I stretch my arms over my head languidly as I look around my nice, clean room with satisfaction. After hearing a nice pop from my joints, I head for the door, but feel compelled to stop as I pass my reflection again in the mirror. Hmm, royal purple is such a beautiful color. It's no blue, but still it's very pretty and I don't look half bad either.

I look down at the platinum gauntlets that had fitted themselves around my forearms and hands. They're truly magnificent, the Chinese symbol for "typhoon" is etched on top along the forearms and a yin and yang symbol was etched onto the palms. Plus, the blades are retractable.

These weapons…

I feel a sort of…kinship with them, like they were created just for me. But what was that voice up upon the deck? Where did it come from? It had said to come and find them, that they were mine to wield… So then… I stare hard at the Bladed Gauntlets of Tempest.

Impossible…right…? Surely not…

I dispel the strange thought. There's much more pressing matters to deal with right now. We have to stop the Serpentine from collecting the three remaining Silver Fang Blades and unleashing the Great Devourer. We have to find the Water, Light, and Dark masters, who could be anywhere in Ninjago. And what about Lord Garmadon and the Legendary Green Ninja, we definitely can't forget about that.

I resume my trek for the door. Well one thing's for sure…we have our work cut out for us…

I open the door to find Cole with a raised fist, preparing to knock. "Oh hey, Nya." Cole lowers his hand. "I just came to let you know that dinner will be ready in just a bit."

The earth ninja steps aside to allow me passage and we walk together towards the dining room. "Okay, sounds good. I am getting hungry."

Already dinnertime, huh… Wow, the day really flew by… "So, whose turn is it to cook?" I ask.

"Zane's," Cole replies. "I think he said he was going to make pot roast and mixed vegetables. And good thing too! I'm starving!"

The most appetizing smell hits my nose as Cole and I round the corner and step into the dining room. I look around, but only spot Sensei Wu sitting at the head of the table, quietly sipping his tea. "Where are Jay and Kai?" I ask him, but Sensei simply shrugs.

"Huh…I thought they'd be back by now…" I turn to Cole, taking notice of his furrowed brow. "All Kai said was that he and Jay were going somewhere to talk. Said it wouldn't take long."

This confuses me. "But, why would they need to leave the Bounty just to talk?"

"Good question…" was Cole's only reply.

What's going on? I can't help but feel slightly worried.

*~Elements~*

I follow after Kai in my Storm Fighter as he traverses the Shinra Forest on his Blade Cycle. I don't know why we had to leave the Bounty just to talk, but whatever it is had better be important. It's Zane's night to cook after all. We reach an open-ended clearing and Kai's Blade Cycle slows to a stop. I hover a ways from him and we both dispel our vehicles.

"Whoa, this place is nice," I comment lightly, coming to stand beside Kai. Even though fall wasn't too far off, the weather was still pleasantly warm with just the hint of a cross-breeze coming in to tousle with the grass and the trees. It isn't a bad picnic area to be honest. Hmm, actually bringing Nya here for another date sounds awesome! But before that…

Strangely silent and tense, Kai walks a distance ahead of me before turning around. "Is this what you wanted to show me, Kai?" I ask intrigued. It certainly is a nice but… I smirk and place a hand on my hip. "Sorry buddy, but I'm in love with your sister not you."

I bark out a laugh, but Kai doesn't look the least bit amused. Sharp topazes only narrow further. I stop laughing, feeling the atmosphere grow heavy. I frown. What's his beef…?

"Prepare yourself, Jay," Kai suddenly growls, getting into a low attack stance with his golden sword drawn.

My pulse begins to thump loudly in my veins, my trained wits innately sensing the dangerous situation. But why? I warily look at my ninja brother. "Wh-" is the only thing I manage to get out as Kai charges forward.

He swings his sword ferociously and I dodge his continuous attacks out of pure reflex. Fire blazes with each sweep of his sword, but when he performs a downward stroke, I quickly use my nunchucks to block and capture his weapon. Fire and lightning intermingle with our clashed weapons, and I seize the opportunity to question the insane flame-head.

"Kai! What the hell are you doing!?" I demand furiously, but my friend just grits his teeth and growls.

"Do you love her, Jay?"

"What!?" I scream in indignation. Where was this animosity coming from?! Why attack me just because I— Kai immediately breaks the deadlock and back flips away from me.

"I'm asking you, DO YOU LOVE HER!?" He yells and charges me again.

Kai favors the sword, and now I see why! His attacks are more fluid and powerful with a blade, and it takes all of my speed and agility to dodge and parry against them.

I grunt as I deflect another blazing swipe. "Yes, Kai! I do, okay?! Geez!" Sparks fly as our weapons collide and we're yet again in another deadlock.

"Then prove it," he sneers lowly, and my eyes widen. His sword suddenly ignites with the rage of an inferno and the white flash blinds me. I yelp in surprise and pain when his next attack knocks my nunchuks out of my hands. My vision clears just in time for me to see them fly up and sail over my head behind me.

Shit! Before Kai could attack again, I use our proximity to quickly jump and kick off his chest. My momentum sends me backward, but I know not far enough. Rebounding, I then perform multiple fast back flips towards my still airborne weapon. For my last flip, I leap high into the air, perform a rapid corkscrew and catch my golden weapon on the fly. I land lightly on my feet and look up to see Kai sprinting towards me with fire in his eyes and on his weapon.

Sheer determination swathes my spirit at that moment. "Alright, Kai. I'm not sure how beating your ass will prove anything, but I'll do it." I can feel my element coil around me and give me additional power. I wouldn't dare use my True Potential against any of my brothers, but I will use my element. Plus, he's kind of asking for it, and I'd hate to disappoint. My body turns translucent as I streak towards Kai. The red ninja's eyes widen in shock as I knock him back with a jumping kick.

He grunts in pain and falls to the ground, rolling repeatedly on the ground from the force of my blow. He stops on his back, spread-eagled and I teleport to stand over him. I stare down hard at my winded brother, wondering why he would go through such drastic actions to just ask me if I loved his sister or not. Wait…that's it, isn't it?

Of course… The role of a protective brother… I get it, bror…

"Kai, I love Nya. And I will do everything in my power to protect and support her," I promise solemnly to him. Kai laid there panting on the ground, looking up at me with raised brows. But then…slowly closes his eyes. Birds chirp overhead in the quiet breeze as I wait patiently for his response.

"That's all I wanted to hear," he says finally and opens his eyes.

I release my powers and offer him a hand up, which he takes graciously. "Man, you sure have gotten a little stronger, huh? Wicked, bro." He smirks as we give each other dap. "Truly wicked."

I give him a warm smile. "I really do mean it, Kai."

"I know you do," he replies, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Now come on, let's get home and eat before there's nothing left. You know how Cole gets."

We both laugh loudly. Well what could anyone say, really? Our leader could really shovel it in.

(Back at the Bounty)

Cole and I sit down at the table while Zane places the pot full of stewing meat and vegetables in the middle. "Well, I think we may have to start without them," Sensei Wu observes. Kai and Jay had yet to return, and truth be told, I'm starting to get a little anxious. I'm just about to volunteer to go look for them when…

"OH YEAH! POT ROAST! Looks like we made just in time before Cole could suck it up with that vacuum he calls a mouth!"

Such exuberance could only come from one man… and I turn to the hallway happily as Jay and Kai come bounding into the dining room.

Cole folds his arms, a huge frown firmly in place. "Hey, I resent that," he grumbles. "But anyway, it's about time you guys got back."

"Yes, for I was just about to carve without you," Zane elucidates with a large knife already to the flank of the main course.

"Yeah, sorry we're late, everyone." Kai unabashedly eyes Jay as he sits down next to me. "Jay and I just had a few things to discuss privately."

I scrutinize my brother before turning my attention to my boyfriend. "Is everything okay?" I ask. I swear if Kai did or say anything stupid, I'm gonna rip his jugular out! But to my surprise, Jay simply chuckles and wraps his arm around me. I immediately blush.

"Everything's just fine," he assures softly, his warm breath tickling my neck.

"Geez, at least not at the table," Kai mutters, but I flat-out ignore him and enjoy the attention Jay's giving me. Kai takes a seat beside Cole, and with the clan finally reunited, Sensei Wu gives Zane the okay to start serving.

But before Zane's knife can even fully slice through a section of the succulent entrée, the Bounty's alarm blares from the intercom. Everyone gives a startling jolt, and from experience, we know it can only mean one thing…

"THE SERPENTINE!"

A/N: Is Nya even going to be IN the Ninjago movie that's supposed to come out next year? I mean, I know they're not basing it off the show, but I wonder how much of the cast they actually plan on utilizing. All that's really been confirmed are the Ninja. But let me just say, that I hope they plan of Lloyd being voiced by an actually man. I have a feeling he won't be, though…