All characters belong to the creators of "Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu."
Chapter 14
Of Smoke and Soup
Kai observed his surroundings, unimpressed. The cold stone made him grimace, meticulously cared for as though swept every day, but cracked and worn by trodding feet. "You need some new stone, Old Man." His companion said nothing, choosing to simply lead them to the building's entrance. Closed off with shoji doors, the monastery surrounded them in a linear semi-circle, continued by white stone walls that met at two large, wooden doors that now creaked close behind them. Japanese characters decorated the sliding doors before them, painted in black ink over the simple cloth. Framed in red cedar, Kai couldn't help but be impressed. Redwood was difficult to find, much less in this quantity.
The doors opened seamlessly under Wu's touch, leaving no scrapes or sounds in its wake. The old man proceeded to take him down a relatively short hallway, across wooden floors that creaked and groaned. Like the stones in the courtyard, the wood's age was apparent, but no sign of dirt was seen as they made their way to a small room at the end of the white stone hall.
A tortured sound escaped the door as it swiveled on its hinges, leaving Kai to drink in his new surroundings. Following the older man in, he observed the room he found himself in. Cold but not damp, he was less than impressed with the four walls they called a bedroom. An old bed sat in the corner, no doubt ridden with bugs and holes and wayward springs from an old, worn mattress. On the other side of the room sat a slightly newer sink and mirror, which he assumed was made with the intention of bringing water into the monastery, though he doubted it would work if he tried. "Um, what is this?" Wu turned to him.
"This is where you'll be staying while we look for your sister." His eyes met the floor then, hesitant with his next words. "I... apologize for the mess." His genuine apology kept Kai's thoughts from leaving his mouth, though a certain dislike coated his features as he scanned the room.
"So, when do we start looking?" Wu stroked his beard, holding Kai's gaze.
"First, you must get to know your new roommates. I will be in my room if you need me."
"Look, I don't have time to get chummy with your students. I need to find my sister." Measured and kind, his response left Kai bristling.
"Patience." Kai frowned as the old man retreated out the doorway, his old walking stick hitting the floor in a rhythmic staccato.
Jay laughed as Kai's food landed with a loud plop into his bowl. Kai paused to glare at the ginger before turning to the chef in question.
"Um, what exactly is this?" Cole smiled, a swell of pride in his chest as he answered.
"Kamaage Udon, with my own creative twist, of course!" Kai looked at his food. Lifting his spoon, he grimaced at the sludge that sloshed on it.
"You call this Udon?"
"It looks more like burnt miso," Zane supplied. Cole shot him a look.
"So... Kai... what's your sister like? Is she hot?" Jay's words, said between loud slurps of what was meant to be noodles, only agitated Kai further.
"Back. Off."
"What? I'm just saying."
"Jay, that's his sister you're talking about; have a little respect."
"Butt out, Cole! I'm not trying to be disrespectful. I just... want to know what we're up against." Jay's nervous smile didn't ease the tension as Cole resumed his seat next to him.
"Cole is right, Jay. Knowing how Nya looks is irrelevant to finding her; asking about it may come across as less than polite." Jay frowned at Zane from across the table. The corner of Kai's mouth lifted slightly in a show of gratitude. Zane returned his smile in kind (if he could even call it that) and lifted his own spoon. Seeing the glop that threatened to do insufferable damage to his innards, he put it down with a grimace. "Perhaps I should go make some monjayaki instead." Standing, he grabbed his bowl and left in what Kai presumed was the direction of the kitchen. Once again watching his old food, a look of disgust passed over his face. His stomach flipped when it sloshed on its own accord. He shoved the bowl away with an exclamation of disgust.
Smoke clouded his vision, lifting in tendrils through a small hole in the ceiling. A small fire lay at its source, red embers landing on the old, worn floor. Images flashed before Wu in rapid succession, the smoke a willing conduit for things unknown to the aging master. Wu watched as his brother's downfall played in the clouded substance, taunting him in what once was their home. A sick feeling pooled in the bottom of Wu's stomach as he watched his brother fall into the depths of the Underworld. He swallowed thickly, the lump in his throat limiting his breaths.
Red flashed before his eyes, faded... worn. Wu squinted, scrutinizing. A deep chill settled in his bones as he watched the scene before him unfold. Hot blood poured onto black stone; steam rose in a sinister hiss upon contact. It wouldn't be long before Garmadon had his way.