The two brothers and Misako covered the gravestone in roses, all three in tears. Masamoto had died a few hours prior, leaving his teenage pupils masterless. He had lived such a long life, it hurt to see him now gone. Garmadon turned away, sinking to the ground.

"Father…" he whispered, "I'm sorry. You didn't know that the Golden Weapons were too much for Mom to handle. I-I was wrong. No one's to blame for her death...father...you were a great man...I hope I can one day follow in your footsteps...I have a lot of work ahead of me…" he smiled sadly, wiping away tears. "Just know that...I love you…"

Wu sighed. "He'll get to see Mom again…"

Garmadon wrapped his arm around Wu's shoulders. "You're right…"

Misako hung her head, looking down at the tombstone once more. Masamoto, First Spinjitzu Master. Creator of Ninjago. Husband of Grace Moneitzer. Father of Wu and Garmadon. Born: January 12, XXXX Died: October 17, XXXX (I put Xs because I don't have an exact year set C:)

She clenched her fist, feeling the venom boil to the surface. She took a deep breath, shaking her hand loosely.

Garmadon took her hand, Misako sighing. "Come on, we should get back…"

The trio walked back to the monastery, both brothers grasping Misako's hands tightly.

Misako went through the day's mail, three weeks after Masamoto's passing. Junk, bills, junk, ooh, gossip magazine...What's this?

She stared at the purple ink. "Master Chen...For Misako Langlede."

Her thumb tore open the thick envelope, letting the yellowed parchment fall to the floor.

Misako Langlede,

You have been nominated for Master Chen's personal lessons in the Dark Arts. You will be trained alongside my current pupil, Clouse. I hope my two darlings will get along!

Here, you will be guided through difficult magical tasks. A master of Spinjitzu will fair well!

Hope to see you soon, xoxo and stuff like that.

~Master Chen, Dark Arts Master

Misako frowned. She looked around, grabbing a pen and paper.

Master Chen,

This is Misako. I have receive your letter and accept the nomination. I would like to start sooner rather than later, but I will need some time to pack my things and such.

But, please do not inform my family. This is a secret I do not want shared.

Thank you,

Misako Langlede, Former Pupil of Masamoto-Sama

She folded the paper, sealing the envelope. She held her breath, releasing it slowly. The letter dropped into the mailbox, the top closing.

Wu trotted into the room cheerfully. "Mail here?"

Misako nodded. "Whole pile of sympathy cards and such."

Garmadon smiled. "Morning…" He kissed Misako's cheek, Misako blushing. "Garmy…"

"How's the baby?"

Misako frowned. "What?!"

Wu burst out laughing. "Misako, I'm kidding! Your face though; priceless!"

Misako rolled her eyes. "You better be...I can never have a kid! What if they got the venom? What if-"

Garmadon silenced her with wrapping his arms around her small waist. She sighed, burying her face into his chest. "Garmadon…"

"Yes?"

"Why did you choose me? I'm cursed, ugly, horrible...I shouldn't even be alive...why do you stay around me? Don't I frighten you?"

Garmadon shook his head. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. If I never met you...well, my life would be pointless…" He took her hand, rubbing the diamond ring on her ring finger. She looked into his eyes, searching for an answer. He smiled, leaning down to kiss her. She blushed, willingly accepting. Her hands worked their way up through his hair, fluffing it out. Their lips parted, Garmadon's eyes sparkling. Misako smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Misako snuck out of her and Garmadon's bedroom, looking back at Garmadon's sleeping figure. He rolled over, mumbling. "Mia?"

She cringed. "Darling...it's three in the morning, go back to sleep."

Garmadon blinked. "Oh...goodnight...see you in the morning…" He smiled, rolling back over.

Misako sighed with relief, sneaking out of the monastery. She pulled down her ninja hood, sprinting to Chen's headquarters.

Chen stood on a balcony, looking down. "Is that you Misako?"

Misako removed her hood. "No, it's Santa. Of course it's me!" she spat, irritated.

The dark arts master chuckled. "You are very entertaining...so angry! Rahh!" He laughed again, this time more in an annoying fashion. "Come, Clouse has been anxious to meet you."

A little girl with hair as red as Chen's peeped around the corner, blue eyes wide with curiosity. Another woman, with brown hair slightly darker than Misako's, came behind the girl. "Skylor! Get inside; quickly!"

Skylor frowned. "Why mommy?"

"That's one of Masamoto's students…" her voice dropped to a whisper, "...a master of spinjitzu…"

Skylor gasped, hiding behind her mother, trembling. "Is she gonna kill us?"

Misako's eyes flashed. How dare she make fun of Masamoto… She glared at the two women, snarling.

Skylor squealed, running away. Her mother's eyes were wide as she stepped backwards slowly, taking off at a run after her daughter.

Chen led Misako into a room, a young man with black hair standing in the middle. The man smiled. "You must be the Misako I've heard so much about...it's a pleasure to meet you, m'lady."

Misako nodded curtly. "And you, Clouse."

He led Misako to her room, leaving her to unpack and such.

She walked into her bathroom, finding a note.

Misako,

I have supplied a formal kimono and accessories for the feast tomorrow-it's best if you win over Chen's wife...and her daughter, Skylor...we don't want any...accidents, hmm?

Either way, just remember-don't get on anyone's 'bad side', okay?

~Clouse

Misako frowned. "Okay then..." She held up the red and purple kimono Clouse had supplied for her, sighing. "These colors though..."

The hair comb caught her eye, Misako's fingers tracing the etching in the jade. She shrugged, laying both at the end of her large bed.

Chen saw her descending the staircase, smiling. "There's the peach! You look very nice tonight, Misako..."

Skylor smiled at Misako, admiring her dress. The corners of Misako's mouth turned up slightly, a small smile creeping on her lips. She is kinda cute...

Chen turned to his wife. "Crystal, this is Misako, my newest student. Misako, this is my wife, Crystal."

Misako bowed, Crystal returning the gesture. They smiled at each other, making up for the mishap earlier.

Fifteen men and women surrounded them, bringing platters of food to the table, Skylor smiling happily when she saw a whole plate of potstickers.

Misako looked suspiciously at a bowl of strange looking food set in front of her. Clouse looked over at her, winking. He motioned to one of the women, pointing to Misako and whispering. She bowed, fulfilling his request.

She returned with a huge plate of eel, with a strange sauce. Misako wrinkled her nose, covering her face with her sleeve.

Chen looked at her, frowning. "Misako? Is something wrong?"

Misako shook her head. "Of course not!"

Clouse snickered, picking up his chopsticks. Misako poked at the eel, eventually sighing and eating a piece of it. Her eyes widened. "Wow...this is good."

Clouse huffed, returning to his own food. He bitterly ate a slice of pink salmon.

Chen smiled. "I take it you like eel?"

Misako grinned. "Yes."

Crystal snorted. "Oh, no...now there's two in this monastery that like eel..."

Skylor took one look at the eel on Misako's plate and gagged. "Yucky!"

Clouse rolled his eyes, Misako giggling.

A few weeks later Misako woke up suddenly, running to the bathroom. Her dinner from the day previous came back up, Misako breathing heavily. She groaned. "Oh..." She flushed it down the pipes, washing off her face in the sink. Her eyes widened. "No...it couldn't...no-" She looked at the bag next to her. "Oh no...might as well check I guess..."

(3 Minutes Later)

Misako picked up the test, eyes wide as golfballs. "No..."

Positive.

She panicked, thoughts spiraling through her head. I'm...I'm pregnant?! How?! Why?! Oh...no! This can't be happening! i'm not ready to become a mother!

Someone knocked on the door, causing Misako to jump. She held her breath. "Who is it?"

"Clouse..."

Misako sighed, opening the door. "Can I help you?"

"Training begins in five minutes...don't be late!"

Misako silently cursed under her breath. "Five minutes?!" She dashed back inside her room, gathering her stuff and throwing on her gi. "A little more notice is appreciated, magic boy!"

Clouse shrugged. "You were the one who slept in, spinner girl!"

Their eyes locked, both angry and irritated. Chen marched down the hallway. "What is the meaning of this? You two aren't...fighting, are you?"

Clouse smiled, shoving Misako away. "Of course not, master…"

I don't think I need an author's note, really...but hey, how are all y'all doin'? :D

I'm just chillin'...spring break baby!

~JR