Much to Kiku's happiness, Cole was right. She and Kai were just coming down, after a hilarious couple of hours of watching Kai fumble with the aerial hoop, to find Pixal had finally left her room. It took all of Kiku's self-control to stop herself from immediately going over and hugging her; instead, she politely waved at Pixal, who was sitting next to Zane in the living room. She was stunned when Pixal not only waved back but smiled at her sincerely.
"Kiku, what fortuitous timing," Pixal said happily. "we were wondering if we could have a private conversation with you."
Kai glanced at Kiku with concern on his face. If not for the positive tone Pixal used, Kiku would also be concerned, but she grinned at Kai reassuringly. He wandered off to give the three droids the solitude they wanted.
Kiku excitedly sat next to Pixal.
"Sister, how wonderful that you're speaking to me!" She squeaked.
"I know I have already apologised for the damage I caused to your face, but I feel compelled to apologise again," Pixal began. "I am truly sorry for physically hurting you, rage is no excuse for how I treated you."
"I'm the one who should be saying sorry," Kiku declared. "I did something really stupid and hurt you both in the process, then dug my heels in when I was confronted – I'm so sorry for what I did."
"This is going incredibly well," Zane nodded. "I am proud of both of you."
"Pixal, I'll do anything to prove myself as a good sister!" Kiku asserted. "And Zane, I promise I'll take my training seriously and do my best every day!"
"Thank you for your openness," Pixal smiled. "we feel it is important to take this opportunity to 'clear the air', as it were, and there is something we wish to know."
"Ask me anything! I'm an open book!" Kiku enthusiastically nodded.
"What are your intentions with Kai?" Zane asked directly.
"Uh, intentions?"
"He has become attached to you in such a rapid manner, and you appear to be feeding into it with equal fervour," Zane stated. "he is my teammate, but he is my friend first, and while I am willing to forgive and forget your prior transgressions, I am not prepared to tolerate you causing further disharmony within the team."
"I don't have any ulterior motives if that's what you're implying," Kiku denounced. "he's just a fun, friendly, cute guy who's letting me crash with him and helping me learn ninja stuff."
"Cute?" Pixal queried. "I did not know you thought he was cute."
"Well, yeah, I mean," Kiku started to play with her hair as she spoke. "he's sweet and he's got a nice smile and he's been very accommodating – he let me set up my hoop and humoured me when I wanted to show him how to use it – why? Is it strange to think he's cute?"
"Not at all, it is just not the word I would use for Kai, that's all," Pixal mentioned casually. "Cole perhaps, but Kai? Not so much…"
"I would use the word 'confident'," Zane nodded. "but if you think he's cute, that's fine; as long as you do not interfere too much with team dynamics."
"I'll try and be good, I really will," Kiku promised. "I'm here to learn and that will be my focus."
"I did not know that you thought Cole was 'cute'." Zane said to Pixal.
"Despite his hardened outer appearance, he is soft and kitten-like," Pixal replied. "anyone who resembles a baby animal in some way is automatically cute."
"Yes, I see what you mean." Zane agreed.
"Okay, are we all sorted now?" Kiku asked hopefully. "Clean slate?"
"Clean slate." Pixal beamed, pulling Kiku into a warm hug.
This was not like the hug she gave yesterday, which was cold and distant and somewhat obligatory, this was a warm, tender, familial hug – and Kiku was loving every second of it.
"Thanks sis," Kiku grinned. "I'm gonna go find out where Kai went to."
"And I believe it is my turn to make dinner." Zane said as he stood up and walked toward the kitchen.
"Kiku," Pixal said in a cautionary tone. "be careful not to get too attached, it will make parting that much harder."
"I think… it may be too late for that." Kiku gave a half-smile and wandered back out the way she had come in.
And promptly bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry!" Kiku squeaked.
"No problem," Nya responded, smiling at the droid. "I should've been watching where I was going."
"Have you seen Kai anywhere?"
"Last time I saw him, he was heading back to his room, I think." Nya replied.
"Thanks." Kiku smiled and went on her merry way.
Nya entered the living room and was surprised to see Pixal there, especially since Kiku had just come out of that very room and she didn't appear to be wounded.
"Hey stranger!" Nya joked as she sat next to Pixal. "Am I to assume there was a ceasefire? I just bumped into Kiku – literally – and there wasn't a scratch on her."
"We have made amends and agreed to a fresh start." Pixal explained.
"Thank goodness," Nya sighed. "I don't mind fixing her up, but it would be nice not to need to."
"She too was relieved, and so am I to an extent."
"To an extent?" Nya tilted her head.
"Kiku is getting very attached to Kai, in an accelerated manner, and she has only been here for a day," Pixal confessed. "I am concerned about Kai's potential lack of mutual interest, and how Kiku may find it difficult to leave once her training is complete."
"You're not the only one who's noticed – my brother denies it, but we can all see how quickly he's getting attached to her too," Nya mentioned. "it's the strangest thing I've ever seen."
"I am hoping it is merely the novelty of having a girl in his room that is propagating his fascination with her," Pixal theorised. "he has yet to be in a relationship, despite his frequent interest in various women."
"Just hypothetically speaking – is it a problem if they like each other that way?" Nya shrugged.
"Human-droid interactions are seldom studied because there are so few case studies that exist," Pixal shook her head. "there is no precedent to fall back on, and I don't want either of them to get hurt."
"As you said, I think it's the novelty of the situation," Nya agreed. "once the novelty's worn off, Kiku will likely end up in my room."
Kiku very suddenly returned to the living room, her blue facial circuits now burning purple, and she promptly hid herself behind the sofa.
"You okay, Kiku?" Nya asked. "Your face is a different colour."
"Kai... shower... it was an accident!" She rambled.
"Slowly Kiku, we don't understand you."
"He was in his room, he'd just gotten out of the shower," Kiku breathed. "I should've knocked!"
She hid behind her hands and shook her head repeatedly; utterly mortified at what had just happened.
"Ohh, I see, I get it now," Nya giggled as she put the pieces together. "you saw him naked, didn't you?"
Kiku couldn't respond, but the lines of smoke rising from the gap in her face plates said more than she ever could.
"Oh dear..." Pixal chuckled. "Have you not seen a man naked before?"
"Not like that I haven't!"
"What do you mean 'like that'?"
"Like, in person, and soaking wet!"
"Well of course he'd be wet if he just got out of the shower." Nya laughed.
"He's the Master of Fire! I didn't think he dried off like a normal person!" Kiku stammered. "I figured he just went *poof* and would be like, immediately dry!"
Nya lost it; Kiku's logic was nothing short of hilarious, and she couldn't contain her laughter anymore. While Nya succumbed to fits of giggles, Pixal got up and went behind the sofa to try and coax Kiku out of hiding.
"I realise that you are embarrassed, but if it gives you reassurance, I am certain that Kai will not have been phased by this incident." She put her hand on Kiku's arm.
"I hope so, but how am I supposed to look him in the eye after walking in on him?" Kiku fretted. "He probably thinks I'm a pervert!"
"He won't think that: he knows you're still adjusting to being here," Pixal smiled. "but apologising would be a good place to start."
"What's with all the laughing today?" Jay asked as he entered the room. "Kai's chuckling to himself upstairs and I could hear Nya's giggling from outside!"
"Something happened," Pixal deflected vaguely. "nothing serious, but Nya – and Kai, apparently – found it amusing."
"It must've been one hell of a something to set Nya off this much," Jay looked at Nya with a grin. "so, what did I miss?"
"Kai... Kiku..." Nya replied between giggles. "Master of Fire... *Poof*!"
"Um..." Jay glanced at Pixal expectancy. "Care to translate?"
Kiku, still sitting on the floor, tugged on Pixal's hand, silently pleading for her not to reveal anything.
"Kiku made a strange assumption about Kai's powers," Pixal responded diplomatically. "she just told us what it was, and Nya appears to have been tickled by it."
"Oh, okay... Wait, Kiku's in here?" Jay noted. "But you're also in here, and there's no fighting going on, did you guys make up?"
"We agreed to a clean slate." Kiku mumbled.
Jay walked round to stand next to Pixal and saw Kiku squished into the gap between the couch and the wall.
"If that's true, why are you hiding?"
"I feel very stupid," Kiku confessed. "I'm hiding from the repercussions of my idiocy."
"That's a bit harsh, isn't it? I mean, it can't have been that bad." Jay insisted.
"That is what I was saying before you came in," Pixal agreed. "you would think she would listen to her big sister, but no, she's determined to be dramatic."
Kiku did manage to smile upon hearing Pixal refer to herself as a 'big sister', but the fact that Nya was still out of breath from laughing so much negated any feeling of comfort she might've gotten from it.
"C'mon, if you stay there much longer, you'll get stuck," Jay chuckled, holding out his hand to her. "whatever it was, I'm sure it's no big deal, just come out."
As she contemplated whether or not to acquiesce to this request, she observed the little smile he gave and paused. Jay was the one ninja she still had not formed an opinion of, but he seemed nice enough, and Nya wouldn't be dating him if he wasn't a good person. Eventually, she accepted his hand, and he helped her up.
"There ya go," Jay grinned. "that's better."
"Thank you." Kiku said quietly.
"Y'know, we haven't had a chance to talk since you got here, not even during practice today," Jay asserted. "but then again, Kai wouldn't let you out of his sight so it's not surprising."
Nya resisted the urge to start giggling again on the mention of her brother's name.
"Kai is… very sweet." Kiku stated, her face still burning.
"Where's Zane, by the way?" Jay asked Pixal.
"He has started cooking." Pixal nodded.
Jay's eyes lit up.
"I love Tuesdays!" He yelled. "Come on Kiku, let's go see what he's making!"
He excitedly grabbed her hand and began to lead her to the kitchen.
"You're pretty hyped about Zane's cooking." Kiku mentioned.
"That's because he's amazing at it!" Jay insisted. "Just wait 'til you try some!"
"I hate to burst your bubble, dude, but I don't eat."
Jay stopped just short of the kitchen doorway and turned to her with the most melancholic expression she'd ever seen.
"You don't?" He pouted.
"Nope, me and my sisters don't need to – we can drink, sure – but no eating," Kiku shook her head. "why do you think I wasn't here yesterday when Pixal lost her temper?"
"That's the saddest thing I've ever heard!" Jay whimpered. "To know that you'll never be able to try one of Zane's desserts, it's almost too much!"
"It's not that bad if I miss out, is it?" Kiku giggled.
"Everyone should experience the mind-blowing awesomeness of Zane's cooking," Jay put his hand on her shoulder and glanced at her sympathetically. "I'm so sorry…"
"You're kidding right?" She raised an eyebrow at him.
"This is no joking matter!" Jay declared. "Wait 'til you see Cole's reaction when I tell him you can't try the chocolate cherry cake Zane sometimes does."
"Well, it'll be one hell of a wait, he's gone to see his girlfriend," Kiku reminded him. "must be nice for you, when your girlfriend lives here."
"It's a double-edged sword," Jay admitted as he blushed. "it's nice that we live together, but because Kai is here too, we don't live 'together'."
"Oh, you mean because you don't share a bedroom," Kiku grinned. "I don't know why you can't, I mean, you're in a serious relationship right? I'm sharing Kai's room and we only met yesterday."
"Last time I checked we're not involved that way."
Kiku's heart briefly stopped, as she recognised the voice that came from behind her. She covered her eyes with her hands and turned around, before peeking between her fingers. Kai, much to her relief, was now fully dressed, but his hair was still wet, and he had a wicked smirk on his face. She felt her cheeks burning again.
"Oh, hey Kai," Jay chuckled nervously. "how much of that did you hear?"
"Enough," Kai gently took hold of Kiku's wrist. "mind if we have a private word?"
"Not at all!" Jay announced happily as he darted into the kitchen.
Without another word, Kai used his grip on her wrist to pull her further away from the kitchen, just in case Jay was lurking by the door.
"Don't want anyone to overhear, do we?" He grinned.
"No," She timidly squeaked, then bowed at a 90-degree angle. "I'm very sorry, I didn't mean to violate your privacy! Please forgive me!"
There was a moment of tense silence, as Kiku stared at the floor; too anxious to stand up straight again. Then Kai laughed. Kiku slowly returned to an upright position and cautiously peered at him.
"You're a fast one," Kai teased. "you've been here what, a day and a half, and you're already walking in on me when I'm naked."
"It was an accident!" She insisted, her facial circuits completely red at this point. "I foolishly assumed you would've locked the door, I'm sorry!"
"Listen, I probably acted shocked when you walked in and then shot back out again, but I'm not bothered about it - really," Kai shrugged. "and I should apologise too; I'm not used to having company and didn't think to use the lock because everyone around here knocks first."
"I'm sorry!" She repeated.
"Don't worry about it, we're both adapting to the situation," He said calmly. "we can just forget it ever happened, okay?"
"Um, okay, but…" She hesitated for a second. "what if… I don't want to forget it?"
He did a mental double take. Did she really just say that? More to the point, what did she mean by it?
"Well, you don't have to, but I want you to feel comfortable staying with me," He grinned. "if you'd rather be in Nya's room, that's fine too."
"No!" She hurriedly answered. "I mean, I like being in your room, I just don't wanna make you feel awkward."
"No awkwardness here," He responded, holding his hands up. "I know that you're only here to train, but I'm really enjoying your company, so I'm glad you wanna stay with me."
"And I'm glad I didn't alienate you with my silly mistake."
"Mistakes happen, Flower, don't sweat it." He grinned and playfully toyed with her hair.
"May I… may I have a hug?" She asked shyly. "Um, please?"
Kai didn't answer, he didn't need to, he just put his arms around her and pulled her towards him. Kiku inwardly melted; his body was wonderfully warm, his grip was firm yet gentle, and his charming demeanour had once again alleviated her concerns.
The day before she arrived at the temple, Pixal had told her that Kai was a notorious flirt, and Kiku totally understood how he might have that reputation, but he was so genuine with her that it was all the more baffling that he was still single. She couldn't resist nuzzling her face against his, and when he didn't pull away or resist in response to it, she sighed contentedly.
"Thank you…" She purred, letting go of him.
"You're welcome," He smiled at her. "now I better go dry my hair before I catch a cold or something."
Kiku watched as he walked back the way he came, and she could feel her heart making strange pulsations again. She thought about what Pixal said not half an hour ago, that she should avoid getting too attached to Kai, and it seemed ridiculous that she felt that the warning was too little, too late – she had known him for, as he himself said, a day and a half – but there was something special about him that she couldn't quite-
"And what was that all about?"
Kiku practically jumped out of her casing, as she turned to see Lloyd behind her.
"Bloody hell, you scared me!" She hissed. "I know you guys are all ninjas, but do you have to go around sneaking up on me all the time?"
"It's what you're here to learn, and once you've got the skills you won't be snuck up on so easy," Lloyd lectured her. "and you haven't answered my question."
"Remind me again? I could barely hear you for my heart pounding in my ears." She said moodily.
"What was that all about? Between you and Kai?"
"That depends; how much did you hear?" She countered.
"You, asking Kai for a hug, and reacting the way your sister does when Zane hugs her," He replied. "which is weird because Pixal and Zane are married, while you've been here for all of 36 hours."
"He's only making me feel welcome, and comfortable," She snapped. "which is more than could be said for you."
"Don't get too comfortable, you're only here temporarily, and you're supposed to be here for training, not flirting with one of my friends."
"Why are you so bitter and mean?" She questioned directly. "You're acting like a jealous boyfriend!"
Suddenly something clicked in Kiku's mind.
"You like him too, don't you?" She gasped. "You really are jealous!"
"Nonsense," Lloyd fervently denied, his cheeks going slightly pink. "I'm trying to protect my teammate; you've already upset Zane, and Pixal, I won't have you upsetting anyone else!"
"Wow, you're a bit behind," Kiku derided. "Zane and Pixal and me came to a ceasefire – we're starting over fresh."
"How nice that you've been given another chance," He noted. "hopefully, you won't make a further nuisance of yourself."
"Lloyd, you can bandy words with me all you like, I'm not gonna ignore my feelings for Kai just because you can't admit yours," She grinned wickedly. "either you come clean with him, or you let me have him myself; he deserves someone who cares enough to be open with their emotions."
Lloyd stood there and silently fumed at the arrogant droid. What else could he do when she was right about the whole thing?
"Well then, I'm gonna go and spend some time with Kai; see you later, Master of Energy." Kiku mockingly bowed to him, turned on her heel and strolled away.