Hey guys. Yeah I know ita late, but it's still technically Saturday.
The Picnic
Kai woke with a jolt, sitting strait up, covered in a cold sweat. His breath coming heavily as he tried to recollect just what happened in his nightmare. In short, worst date ever.
The red ninja began to relax a little as he came to the realization that he was in his own room, and not surrounded by clones of himself, all trying to kill him. What was that supposed to be about? I'll never understand dreams, Kai thought to himself.
Kai sat up against the head of his bed, his breath slowing, but still coming quite heavy. Gazing around the room, the red ninja began observing different things around him. Lloyd was still fast asleep, the occasional change in facial expression, or twitch of his foot suggested he was having a little nightmare as well. Hopefully one that wasn't as terrifying. Kai couldn't even imagine what it would be like to be surrounded by eight green ninjas. Every element at there fingertips, all the ultimate master of spinjitsu. Just the thought made him shudder.
Misako was tending to Cole across the room. Her back was too the fire master, unaware that he had awaken from his slumbers. Quietly slipping out of bed, the only audible sound was the creaking of the old floorboards, Kai tip toed over to the door, planning to freshen up in the bathroom.
On his way down the bounty's long corridor, it occurred to him he should re wrap his bandages. Kai, not being very good with medical business, didn't do nearly as good of a job with the gauze as Misako had with the ones he soaked the other day. His wrappings were peeling away, revealing the burned blistered skin underneath. There was no way he was meeting Melissa in the park in such condition.
Happily stripping off the worn bandages, it occurred to Kai just how itchy the skin underneath. He felt his muscles tingle and tickle, begging to be scratched. Knowing it probably wasn't a smart idea, the red ninja tried instead, rubbing is fingers over the areas that were the most unbearable.
As his fingertips reached the irritated skin, and slowly applied pressure, he began cringing in pain. The nerves in his fingers were still very sensitive, and didn't want to be worked in such a way. As for the itchy spots, they only became more irritated, demanding to be scratched even more. Unable to resist the urge, not finding any other solution, Kai leaned up against the wall, rubbing his arms vigorously against the splintery panels.
He felt an instant relief, however it was short lasting. His nerves quickly filled with a burning pain, partially from the friction, but mainly his still weak muscles. Kai gasped in agony, pulling away from the wall. The searing pain continued to throb as he removed his arms from their contact with the wall.
As the pain gradually dissipated, Kai splashed some cool water on his face, rubbed some soothing ointment on his arms to prevent the itch, and gently re wrapped them with gauze. Back in his room, while Misako still caring for Cole, Kai caught a quick glimpse of the the clock. Eleven thirty, it read. Not wanting to be late, the red ninja quickly changed into a plain tee shirt, red sweatshirt, and jeans.
He wasn't entirely sure where he could find a picnic blanket on the Bounty. The kitchen maybe? Somewhere in the bridge? There wasn't much of a need for one on the Bounty. Did they even have one? Surely there was one somewhere that had been untouched for quite some time.
Kai found himself eventually searching through some old boxes lying around the back of the training room. Many of them full of things they would most likely never need on a flying ship. A watering can, lawn chairs, those creepy, pink, plastic flamingos you stick in your yard. Gosh, those things creeped him out. Why would anyone make fake flamingos? They didn't even live anywhere near Ninjago city, so why would you have plastic ones on your lawn? And they're so clearly fake. Who invented such a dumb thing anyway?
Most of it was outdoor stuff, and since there was no outside, grassy area, there wasn't really anywhere for it. Why did they even have this stuff in the first place? It was absolutely useless to the ninja.
Finally, stuffed at the bottom of one especially big box was a picnic blanket. It was a little tattered, but it was in decent enough condition. It was more than Kai expected, considering he was starting to believe that they didn't even have a picnic blanket.
Folding the picnic blanket up into a size that was easily portable under one arm, Kai left the training room, and headed up to the main deck. As he entered the bridge, he was surprised to find only Nya was there, steering the ship over Ninjago city.
"Hey sis," Kai greeted her cheerfully.
"Hey Kai. Sleep well?" Nya smiled, reaching over, and tapping a little blue button. Kai assumed it was the autopilot, for she left the wheel after, taking a seat at the table.
"Oh, uh, fine," he lied. The red ninja knew he should tell her about the dream, but he had to be at the park soon, and it wasn't something that could be explain quickly or simply. "I was wondering if you could drop me off a few blocks from the city park."
"Shouldn't you be resting?" Nya asked suspiciously.
"Just thought I'd get out for a little while," Kai replied nervously. "You know, stretch my legs. Get some fresh air. It's better than being cooped up on the Bounty." Goodness, he was telling a lot of lies. He was going to have to make it up to her later.
"Oh, I guess that's alright," Nya sighed with uncertainty. "Just, be back before three. Just so no one gets worried."
"Alright," Kai smiled at his younger sister. "Will do."
The siblings were silent the rest of the way to the park. No one said a word until they reached their destination. Kai said a quick "see you later" to Nya before disappearing to the streets below, headed for the park.
Kai wove his way silently through the crowded streets of Ninjago city. As he came upon the park, the red ninja realized it was just like his dream. Or at least the scene in the park. Children with kites. People laughing, and enjoying themselves. Something that would normally make Kai smile was giving him an uneasy feeling. It was too much like his dream.
Kai strolled through the park, eventually finding his way to the lake. Glancing down at his watch, the little digital numbers read noon. Not seeing Melissa anywhere, the red ninja of fire decided to wander around the perimeter of the lake until she came.
"Kai," called a voice from the other side if the lake, after the red ninja made it about halfway around the lake.
Through the few trees encircling the lake, Kai could make out Melissa waving to him. In her arms sat a woven basket. It to looked like the one from his dream. At least her attire was different. In his dream, she wore the same outfit from the party. From what he could see from the other side of the lake, she was wearing a lime green tee shirt and dark blue jean shorts. Her hair was pulled back into a half pony.
As Kai walked back to the other side of the lake, he spotted a crimson bracelet matching the streak in her hair. She wore a necklace that appeared to be a rabbit made out of metal. It was a pretty shade of coppery pink, contrasting perfectly with her shirt.
"Hey Melissa," Kai greeted the girl once he was within her earshot.
"Sorry I'm late," Melissa smiled as he joined her by the lakeside. "Mia insisted she should help make sandwiches, but ended up making a huge mess instead."
"It's fine," Kai couldn't keep down a small chuckle. "Where shall we sit?"
"Hmmm," Melissa wondered, surveying the area around the lake. "How about there?"
The girl pointed a thin finger towards a shady slope next to the lake. The wind tugged at the ends of the grass, causing them to sway on the breeze.
"It's perfect," Kai smiled as he walked over to the slope, and spread out the picnic blanket.
From the spot Melissa chose, there was a great view of the lake. It's surface sparkled and dazzled in the sunlight. In the trees overhead, little birds were visible playing in the branches. Kai reached upwards to point them out when his sweatshirt sleeve slipped down to his elbow, revealing the gauze bandages.
"Kai!" Melissa gasped in shock. "What happened?!"
The red ninja's eye widened as he frantically tried to think of a good coverup. "I, uh... Burned myself."
Great job stating the obvious, genius, Kai thought to himself. At least that wasn't a lie. He probably should've considered the fact his "sword" was made of wood before trying to send his element through it.
"How?" Melissa asked, deep concern reflecting in her eyes.
"Uh... I'm not really sure," Kai started, slowly easing his way into some believable story behind his burns. "I passed out after the incident, and now it's all fuzzy. I'm ok though. It'll get better fast."
"Oh," Melissa sighed, more relaxed. "That's a relief."
The rest of their picnic went by - in Kai's mind - perfectly. No kites flying away transforming into clouds. No violent earthquakes. No sudden snow or wind. And no melting hair, or multiple red ninja trying to kill him.
The whole time, this one little question was in the back of his mind. Kai couldn't help but ask her. He had a crush on Melissa, and he had to let her know.
"Melissa," he started after they'd finished every last sandwich, and moved closer to the lake, letting their bare grass stained feet dangle just below the water's surface.
"Yeah," Melissa perked at the sound of her name, looking up from watching her toes make ripples across the lake.
"Will," he started nervously. "Will you go out with me?"
"Hey, look at this stick," the dirty blonde pointed to a strait stick lying a few feet away from her.
Kai stared at Melissa, confused on why she changed the subject of the conversation to something so odd. Melissa grabbed the stick and began to write something in the mud. When she finished, she leaned to the side so Kai could see.
Yes.
Kai felt himself flood with happiness when he read the word underneath.
Boyfriend.
Kai smiled, before taking the stick, and writing something himself.
Girlfriend.
Melissa was smiling now too, causing them both to start laughing. With one toe, Kai flicked some water at her. She glanced at him quickly with an "oh no you didn't," look before kicking water all up his leg.
Before long, the two were splashing around in the lake, completely soaked. Kai no longer cared if his bandages got wet, or if Sensei and Misako didn't approve of him sneaking out without their permission.
"I should probably leave," Melissa said after their splashing around in the lake. "Mia's gonna be wondering where a I am."
"We should have a night out together this week," Kai thought out loud, pulling off his sweatshirt to wring it out.
"I'm pretty busy," Melissa replied slightly disappointed. "Maybe this weekend?"
"I'll call you Saturday night," Kai nodded, agreeing.
"See you soon," Melissa walked up the shore of the lake before turning around to wave goodbye.
"Bye," Kai waved back.
A feeling of pure happiness filled him instantaneously. Nothing could ruin this day.
Read, review, blah, blah, him tired, goodnight peeps!