A/n- Ray and Maya have more than a decade of their lives stolen from them when they were held captive and enslaved by the Time Twins. So their reentry into normal society, and being with their kids again, should be a MUCH BIGGER DEAL (in my opinion) than them completely disappearing after the end of S7. Thus this was written to try and bridge that gap and come up with a plausible explanation for why they weren't in S8-9 (in particular). Some callbacks to Forged arc and Hello Darkness

Nya gasped with relief as Ray's hair darkened from gray back to brown. "Dad-" that felt so weird to say, but in a very, very good way, "you're gonna be okay."

Unabashed tears streamed from Nya's eyes as the four Smiths piled into a group hug for the first time in well over a decade. In her periphere she saw tears also running freely down Kai's face.

Holding her children close Maya repeated over and over, "I can't believe it!"

The no longer dying Ray held just as tightly. For what felt like an eternity the family clung to each other, the rest of the world forgotten. A small cough came from outside the group reminding them they did, in fact, have an audience.

The other ninja, Cyrus Borg and the new Samurai X remained a few paces away, giving the family space, but Lloyd had a serious look on his face. Nya swiped at her eyes as the family untangled themselves.

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith I'm glad you're okay. I know you have a lot to catch up on, but we need to take care of this-" Lloyd held up the Reversal Blade, "as soon as possible. I believe placing it back into the chamber you prepared in the Boiling Sea would be best. Especially now that we're the only ones who know about it."

Helping Ray to his feet, Maya nodded. "I think that'd be wise."

"Then we should do it and be done. I'll take Nya and Kai with me on the Bounty." Lloyd turned to the older Smiths. "Until you determine what you want to do next you're more than welcome to join us at our base. After the day we've had it might be best for us to meet you there once we've finished with the Blade." There was a general nodding of heads before Lloyd turned his attention to Cyrus and Samurai X. "Thank you both for your help. We can drop you off on our way out if that's okay."

"That's not necessary." The Samurai's mechanical voice quickly put in. "I have my own ride. However, if Mr. Borg deems it acceptable I can return him home to save you time on your own errand."

"That's fine by me. I am looking forward to putting all this behind me." The bags under Cyrus's eyes and the gaunt look on his face testified to the rough several days he'd just been through.

"Then it's settled. Zane and Cole can you fly Mr. and Mrs. Smith to the temple? Jay since your dragon's the fastest can you fly ahead and let my mom know we need a guest room prepared?"

"Can do Master Lloyd." Jay gave a salute before running over to give Nya a hug. "You got this." She smiled in thanks and within seconds a blue lightning dragon was zipping away above them.

Turning to her parents, Nya gave them one last hug. "We'll be back soon." Nothing had a chance of standing in her way now that one of her deepest childhood hopes had come true.

"Still, be careful."

A smile bloomed on Nya's face at her father's words.

"Of course." Kai smirked, though the roguish look didn't come across with its usual charm since tear trails were still evident on his face. "Now that we know what's down there it'll be a sinch."

Nya rolled her eyes. Hopefully he was right, but it wouldn't do to jinx it.

Compared to their last trip to the Boiling Sea this one was practically boring. Calling up Fusion Dragon, the siblings had the Reversal Blade back in its resting place in half the time it'd taken to retrieve it. As the Bounty made its way back to Yang's Temple Kai and Nya excused themselves out onto the deck. Lloyd gave them a knowing look and stated he had some things to finish in the bridge.

Once outside Nya closed her eyes as the wind gently pushed her hair back. She could feel Kai watching her.

"Are you okay?" Nya almost didn't hear Kai over the sound of the engines.

She opened her eyes but kept her gaze on the vibrant sunset. "Yeah. I am. But part of me thinks if I blink too hard I'll find this has all been a dream... ya'know?"

"Yeah." Kai's voice sounded husky. It was Nya's turn to study her brother. She cocked an eyebrow and waited. "I-I am glad they're back, make no mistake about that, but-" he sighed deeply, "but what does that mean now? And what will they think of what happened to us- what I put us through for so many years? I can't imagine them being happy I had us living on the streets for so long and-"

"Kai." Nya took and squeezed Kai's hand, cutting off his uncharacteristic ramble (which as Jay's girlfriend she had a lot of experience mitigating such- panicked or otherwise). "It'll be okay. And no matter what we'll have each other. Okay? You're the best brother any girl could have asked for. Yeah we dealt with a lot of crap over the years, but look at where we are now. I wouldn't have it any other way."

"You might not have a boyfriend otherwise."

Nya gasped in faux mortification. "You did not just go there. And really? That's what you're taking out of my speech?"

Shaking his head with a small laugh, Kai watched the ground fly by beneath them. "Not just that. Thanks."

The door opened behind them and Lloyd walked out on the deck. "I hope I didn't overstep my bounds by offering them a place."

"No," the gratitude could be heard in Kai's voice, "I was going to talk to you about it."

Lloyd studied them. "How're you doing? I know from experience long lost parents reappearing is a lot to take in."

That elicited a snort from Kai. "Who'd of thought just a few years ago I was asking you how you felt when your mom showed up? I think destiny just likes to toy with us at this point. But I think-" Kai's gaze flicked to his sister who nodded in affirmation, "we're okay."

"So what now?"

"I guess we'll figure it out." Nya gestured in front of them. Yang's Temple had just broken through the clouds.

Nya squeezed Kai's hand and just as quickly let go. They'd faced way scarier situations and, unlike Lloyd, they now knew their parents had been forced to leave them. Destiny really did have something against the ninja having any semblance of a normal childhood. With a pounding heart Nya walked into the Temple.

Cole met them in the foyer and gave the siblings a searching look. "Everything go okay?"

Kai nodded. "Blade's taken care of, hopefully never to see the light of day again."

"Good... if you're ready your parents are in the living room. We offered them the spare room on the east side. They're talking to Misako at the moment if you need a minute."

"No." Shaking her head, Nya slid her hand back into Kai's. "We've waited long enough."

Inside the living room Ray and Maya were seated on a couch while Misako sat on a chair facing them. They had changed into clothes that Nya recognized as extras of Misako and Wu. At their entrance Misako excused herself from the room. In an awkward silence Nya and Kai sat down facing their parents.

"Can you still wield?" Kai's question came out somewhat rushed, almost as if he were trying to fill the quiet.

Ray and Maya glanced at each other. "Honestly we haven't tried yet. It's been so long..." A pained look came over Maya's face. "Krux kept vengestone shackles on us that one of your friends was just able to get off. But now that you two have unlocked your potential, our own elemental bond will have naturally weakened in order to strengthen the next generation's. There's only ever one true master of an element at a time, though I'd have thought Wu would have discussed that with you." At the deadpan stares Kai and Nya gave her, Maya laughed softly. "I guess Wu hasn't changed all that much in the last... several years."

"Yeah, he's not really one for details." Nya rolled her eyes. "What- if you- I mean," she let out a frustrated sigh, "I don't want to walk on eggshells. You're my mom and dad. Can you tell us what happened?"

Gentle understanding filled Maya's face. "We don't want this to be awkward either. Though I know it's been so long, please don't hesitate to ask us anything." Without further preamble she and Ray launched into the story of how Krux tricked them and then, after threatening the kids, more or less kidnapped Maya and Ray to prepare for his master plan.

"They were dark years to be sure." Ray's eyes glazed over. "We didn't know what had happened to the two of you and Krux continually threatened to go after you if we didn't stay in line. That stopped though after a certain point." Nya shot Kai a questioning glance. Maybe that was what the kidnapping attempt all those years ago had been about. He shrugged and turned back to Ray who continued, "But we held out hope that one, by some miracle, we'd be able to come back together."

"I get it now." Kai looked down at his hands. The rest of the family turned their attention to him at the abrupt change of topic. "The day you disappeared. I- I remember you talking to me in the forge, hinting about this-" Kai gathered a small flame in his palm, "which has been so amazing. Now I don't regret being chosen as the next master of fire, but for so long I wondered if I was some freak because fire didn't hurt me." His gaze briefly flicked to Nya and she saw years of pain reflected in his eyes before he dropped his gaze again. "That's- that's actually how we ended up on the-" he stopped and swallowed hard, "on the streets."

Maya's eyes widened slightly but Kai couldn't tell from where he was studying the hardwood floor. "Oh?"

While Nya wasn't quite sure what Kai meant by his statement- and also didn't think her mother's question held any condemnation in it, only concern- a burst of anger rose within her as Kai's head dropped lower and his shoulders hunched. He had absolutely no right to be ashamed of his fire or how he'd taken care of them- and specifically her- over the years.

She shot a small stream of water at Kai's face, making everyone in the room jump. Kai swung to look at her, eyes wide in confusion as drops of water trailed down his chin.

"What-?"

"Do not talk about yourself that way! I don't know what you mean by your fire being the reason we lived on the streets, but I wouldn't trade anything we went through because we were able to stay together and it made us the people we are today."

Something Nya couldn't name glimmered in Kai's eyes and it looked like a physical weight rolled off him in the way he sat upright- until he looked back to their parents.

"Nya's right." Ray's deep voice was soothing. "The fire is part of you, son. Not everyone would understand, especially since you had to figure it out on your own, but it's nothing- nothing- to be ashamed of."

Kai nodded but abruptly stood up. "I gotta- I-"

Without finishing his sentence, he practically bolted from the room. The three remaining Smiths watched, bewildered, before Ray and Maya turned to Nya.

She shook her head. "No, that's the opposite of normal. I should go after him."

But Ray held up his hand. "Will he be okay if I go instead?"

Nya bit her lip and thought for a second. "I think so, but this is - uh- a lot to take in and he hates appearing weak, even now." Nya stared imploringly at her parents. "He really has been the best brother/protector/mentor I could have had considering the circumstances."

"Duly noted." Ray rose and headed after his son.

"Would you be okay telling me what happened after we... we left?" Maya's voice faded behind Ray as he left the room.

He also wanted to know what had happened to their kids in the last fifteen some years they'd been gone, but right now finding Kai was more important. Though they'd been given a quick tour upon their arrival, Ray couldn't remember the way to Kai's room. However even if he did, he had a sneaking suspicion that's not where his son would be. Flashes of red light came from the dark courtyard confirming that thought. Making his way outside Ray found Kai sitting on the edge of the floating island, hurling fireballs into the dark desert below.

"You've got a good arm." Kai froze and his flame spluttered out leaving them in the dim light that filtered from the Temple. "Your flame burns brighter than mine ever did."

"I've had good incentive over the years to be the best I could be." Wrapping his arms around his knees, Kai didn't look over as Ray sat down beside him.

"It's paid off. From the short demonstrations I've seen you and Nya are amazing at what you do." He was quiet a minute before deciding to probe the topic Kai had run out on. "I don't know what all it took to bring you here and I'm so sorry we couldn't be there for you. But regardless of what choices you had to make in the past, I've seen the way you and Nya care for each other. That tells me more than any living situation you had over the years."

Kai conjured up another flame, keeping it in his palm. "We were put in a group home not long after you left. A couple years later I was by a fire for the first time since... anyway, I was curious if it wouldn't hurt me again. The lady who ran the house saw me. That night I overheard them saying they were going to send me to a mental hospital. I talked to Nya and she didn't want to be separated from me any more than I did her. So we snuck away.

"It got rough, no doubt about it. But-" Kai took a shuddery breath, "the worst part- the worst part was not knowing. I don't know if Nya ever gave up hope you'd be back but I... I began to believe the whispers from the adults around us that you'd abandoned us." Unable to meet Ray's eyes, Kai fixed his gaze on the fire in his hand.

"I don't blame you."

Kai's head snapped up. "What?"

"I don't blame you." Gently, reverently, Ray reached out and touched the flame dancing in Kai's palm. It flared brightly and a tongue leapt onto Ray's fingers. Though it's vibrancy dimmed considerably, the fire remained alive until Ray willed it to go out. "We were gone for so long and without any notice... if I didn't know what happened I would have thought the same myself." The words tasted bitter on Ray's tongue even though they were true. "Your mother and I knew that our 'unique occupation' could prematurely take us from your lives, but we never anticipated something like what Krux pulled. However, Kai please know this; I'm so proud of you. Proud how you kept you and your sister going, proud how you rose to the challenge of being the master of fire, proud that you have become an amazing young man despite what the world threw at you."

Kai turned for a moment and swiped at his eyes. Ray waited until Kai faced him again. "I mean it Kai, every word. I know it can't have been easy over the years."

A hoarse snort made its way out of Kai's throat. "We had a lot of rough spells, that's for sure. Iwas only eleven and Nya eight when we ran away from the home. We lived on the streets for... a long time. Eventually we came back to Ignacia and I started working in the forge- well trying too. I got okay but being self taught..." Kai grimaced. "Nya'll tell you I had a long way to go. That was for only a year or so until Wu found us. Well, I'm pretty sure he found us before then. He's the one who bought our house when you- when it was left alone for so long. That I only found out a couple months ago... Anyway it's been one adventure after another since."

Ray sighed. "I'm sorry. I so wish it could be different."

"It was unconventional, but it was ours." A small smile tugged at Kai's mouth. "And honestly it's been one heck of an adventure. Though I wish you and Mom had been there for it, you're here now (Until they completely vanish again without explanation) That's more than I ever thought would happen. Wu didn't explain much about you and mom, even after he recruited us. We didn't even know mom was a master until just a year or so ago when Nya needed to come into it for... well long story short we needed a water ninja STAT."

"Wu has always been one for keeping secrets..." Ray sighed and changed the subject. "Tell me about the boy in blue."

Kai felt a smirk grow on his face. "Jay? What about him?"

"I noticed he and Nya seem... close."

Kai full on laughed. "You could say that. We've become a family but Nya and Jay became a couple a while ago." Skipping the bumpy history that they went through, Kai kept it simple and on the present. "Jay's a good friend. More than that he's become a brother They both share a love of adventure and excitement, inventing... the color blue." Kai smiled but grew serious. "We've been through a lot together. Literally to the Underworld and back- right at the beginning. Jay's a good man and cares a lot for her. They've had their ups and downs, but at the end of the day I don't think there could be anyone better for her."

"Based on your glowing praise I'm sure he's right for her." Though he was happy for his daughter, Ray couldn't help the ache that rose within him. The last time he'd seen Nya she was a toddler, now she was a young woman in a serious relationship. He'd missed out on so, so much. Shaking his head, Ray shoved the thought away. There was no changing the past, but they could move forward now that they'd been reunited.

After a few minutes Kai changed the subject again. "When did you first learn about your elemental powers?"

Late into the night father and son began to catch up on the time that'd been stolen from them.

The next morning four exhausted Smiths met in the dining room while the rest of the ninja were already out attending to various tasks in the Temple. Breakfast had been left out for them by Zane, who accurately guessed that they wouldn't be up at the usual time.

As they ate Nya breached a topic that'd been plaguing her mind. "Do you want to go back? To Ignacia?" She asked hesitantly.

After just getting her parents back for the first time in much more than a decade, she didn't want to be seperated from them again anytime soon, but they had obligations to Ninjago City.

Ray and Maya exchanged a look and Ray shook his head. "Your place is here. Besides," a shadow passed over his face, "I'm okay not to be in a forge for a while."

Nya could understand that. She still wasn't a fan of caves after being kidnapped by the skeletons, and that was for a short time several years ago. "You're more than welcome to stay here."

A tap came from the kitchen door. Lloyd poked his head in. "I don't want to rush you guys but we need a meeting to plan what we're going to do next. Especially with-" Lloyd grimaced, "Wu gone."

Nya had to frown too. The reason they were without their sensei was because Wu stayed on the Iron Dragon to protect her and Kai from the Time Twins. However they were traveling to the future. Who knew where- or when- Wu had ended up. Or what happened to the twins.

They followed Lloyd to where the group had gathered in the living room.

"We can look but it's hard to tell if it'll do any good." Lloyd sighed and dragged a hand through his hair. "We might have to wait for him to find us."

Misako pursed her lips. "You guys are needed here. I can conduct the search for Wu."

Everyone was quiet but Lloyd looked like he wanted to protest and Misako noticed. "I'm best suited for this type of project. However that does not mean that I'll be gone all the time. Wu's smart enough to key us into where or when he is."

Cole, who was leaning against the door frame, added, "Until then, Lloyd, you've been trained for this. We'll be by your side."

Something flashed over Lloyd's face but he forced a smile. It came out more of a grimace. He quickly changed the subject. "Have you given any thought to what you'd like to do? Though to reiterate you're more than welcome to stay here as long as you need or want."

Ray leaned back in his chair. "We don't want to be too far from the kids for now. We don't really have a plan beyond that though."

"That's totally fine. For now we'll try and carry out business as usual. Zane can you try and get P.I.X.A.L. back on line?"

The nindroid nodded and frowned. "I'm not sure what happened to make her go offline in the first place but I'll find her."

"Cole can you monitor the equipment for incoming calls?" Another nod. "Jay the Bounty has had a rough go of the last week. Do you mind running a system's check to make sure everyhting's as it should be? I'll help my mom with organizing and continuing to get the boxes taken care of."

"What about us?" Kai asked. To be left out of the 'chore lineup' didn't feel quite right but Lloyd shook his head with a small smile.

"You guys take today to recuperate and be with each other. We can start planning more steps tomorrow."

"Thank you Lloyd." Maya gave him a grateful smile.

"Why don't I show you around then?" Nya stood up. "We only moved here a couple weeks ago and are still getting settled in."

Throughout the tour the siblings continued to explain the highlights of what had happened to them since the last time they'd seen their parents. The earlier years were summed up within the time it took to show Ray and Maya the temple grounds, but it took the rest of the day to give an overview of what happened to them once they joined the ninja (even with Nya leaving out the Nadakhan incident). By the end of the evening their parents couldn't hide their shock and admiration for what the kids had accomplished over the years.

"We owe a lot to Wu for what he's done." Though Maya's heart still ached for the years lost, knowing their old friend had kept his eyes on her kids helped soothe some of the pain.

"I really don't know where we'd be if it weren't for him." Kai shook his head.

'We might be prisoners with our parents or dead.' The realization smacked Nya square in the face and she wasn't quite sure what to do with that information. Deciding not to deal with it for now, she filed it away in her brain. A large yawn suddenly broke out on her face. In surprise she turned to the clock to see it was already nine at night.

Ray noticed and yawned too. "I didn't realize how late it was getting. I hate to call it a night but I think we all have sleep we need to catch up on."

Reluctant nods met his statement but Nya headed toward her room with her heart overflowing. To her surprise Jay was standing outside her door, clearly waiting for her.

She gave Jay a peck on the cheek. "Hey I'd have thought you went to bed already."

"I was working toward it when I heard Kai come up. It didn't take much guessing to figure you'd be heading up too and I wanted to say good-night... and well, to see how you're doing."

Her boyfriend's thoughtfulness coupled with the crazy emotions of the last couple days released in tears trickling down Nya's cheeks. Jay's eyes widened in alarm and he quickly wrapped her in a hug.

"What's wrong? Did something happen? Did I say something wrong? What-?"

Nya gave a shaky laugh, cutting off Jay's frantic questions. "No, just the opposite actually." Wiping away at the tears, Nya buried her face in Jay's shoulder. "I just can't believe how blessed I am to have you and now my parents in my life. Before the skeletons came to Ignacia I never imagined my life would turn out to be so amazing- even with all the bumps and bruises along the way." She sighed. "Still, my head is spinning. Like I'm going to wake up from this and realize it's not real. I-I didn't think we'd ever find them, let alone learn they had a good reason for leaving us." Nya froze, suddenly realizing what impact those words could have. Pulling away from Jay she saw that he was still smiling at her, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Sorry, I didn't mean-"

"Hey, no it's okay." He gently reassured her. "I'm so glad for you and Kai. I'm coming to terms with my own heritage, but it's only been a recent discovery. I had parents there for me my whole childhood. You've had to go years without knowing. I'm so glad it's turned out this way for you."

"Thanks. I honestly- I honestly don't know how to process it." An excited smile tugged at her lips. "But now there will actually be time to." She gave him another hug before another large yawn hit her. "Sorry. Running on little sleep."

"Nah you're good. I'll let you get to bed. Love you."

"Love you too." With one last squeeze Nya bid her boyfriend good-night. She flopped on her bed, not bothering to change into her pjs. Today had been one of the best she could remember and she wanted to treasure it always.

2 Months Later

Introducing current technology to someone who'd never even seen a portable computer turned out to be a lot more fun than Nya ever imagined. Due to Krux's aversion to anything modern Maya and Ray had a lot to catch up on. Both were fascinated by Zane, having never seen such a mechanical wonder before, though the fact he had his own sentience took some time to get used to. Maya took to the electronics quicker than Ray, who'd spent his entire life working with concrete metals and tools.

Today was special though. For the first time they were returning to Ignacia as a family. Adrenaline coursed through Nya at the thought. She couldn't deny that she felt a tiny pinprick of fear at what Ray and Maya would think of the place now- not that she had any basis for that fear. Despite occasional awkward moments as the four worked to reestablish their family unit, Ray and Maya had been nothing but supportive and loving to their kids. Still returning to their old home felt much heavier than introducing their parents to their current living situation.

Kai also was noticeably quiet on the trip to the village. Their parents didn't seem to notice as they watched the countryside pass by. Nya had a feeling of dejavu from when she and Kai returned for the first time after living on the streets for years. Tension built in the car until their house became visible over the last hill. In the rearview mirror Nya saw Maya grab Ray's hand.

"We're home." Kai said softly.

The four exited the vehicle and stood on the threshold of the house, staring at it for a solid minute. Kai then squared his shoulders and walked to the front door. The rest of them trailed behind.

In actuality the house really didn't look that much different than it had when they all lived their last, having been empty the better part of that time. Once Kai and Nya moved back in they'd been more focused on making ends meet for food and clothes than doing anything to the house. After joining the ninja team the house had been left empty again.

"It's really strange to be back, but in a good way." Running a hand along the couch in the living room, Maya walked through the house as if in a trance.

After a couple minutes of quiet exploration Kai gestured to the backyard. "Do you want to see the forge? It's not as neat as you left it, but I've made sure to not leave anything laying around."

"Lead the way."

Maya looked between Kai and Ray then turned to Nya, "Do you mind showing me the store front? I'd also like to look at our old hideout."

"For sure."

As the guys and girls split Kai's mind took him back to the last time he and Ray had been in the forge. What a life time ago that was.

"I've not really picked up the hammer in a while, being the red ninja and all, but occasionally Nya and I will come back for a weekend and I'll work on some stuff."

It felt oddly intimate to show Ray some of the projects Kai had done over the years. Kai knew his father's work was way beyond his league, he had become proud of what he'd been able to accomplish as a self taught blacksmith. He just hoped Ray would see it that way too.

He released a silent sigh when Ray gave an approving nod. "You've done some good work here. What types of ores have you used?"

Their conversation turned to different smithing tips and techniques. That was eventually interrupted by Kai's stomach loudly making itself known. Sharing a laugh the two headed back toward the house.

"I'm impressed Kai, and again proud of the man you've become."

Kai ducked his head as his face flushed slightly. "Thanks. On one of our off weekends would you want to do some things with me in the forge? Only if you want to-" he hurriedly added. Ray still hadn't been active in a forge since being liberated from Krux, "you don't have to. I just know I have a lot I could still learn."

His father's smile warmed Kai all the way to his toes. "I think that would be a great idea."

Quick S10 headcanon: In the pilots Kai does a decent enough job in the forge, but Nya calls him out on some of his work. Yet in S10 the ninja trust Kai To reforge their Golden Weapons. Given Kai's abilities when we're introduces, it doesn't seem like all that great of an idea (which Kai points out). However,before S10 Ray and Maya come back(ish) AND I can totallysee Ray and Kai bonding together while working in the forge. That would increase Kai's skills to the point where he couldskillfully reforge the Golden Weapons.

6 Months Later

"Are you sure?" Kai looked back and forth between his parents. "Not that Misako wouldn't appreciate the help, but I'm just a little surprised."

Giving a half smile Maya looked up from the screen she'd been using. "I know this seems a little sudden but we've been talking. Here at the temple we're not as of much use to you as we could be on the field."

"The last several months have given us much needed rest and rejuvenation, as well as getting to spend it exclusively with the two of you," Ray gestured between Kai and Nya, "but it's time for us to start actively pulling our weight again- even if we're not official elemental masters anymore."

Some of their abilities had returned after being free of the vengestone for so many years, but with Kai and Nya wielding the full power of their elements, Ray and Maya's power was significantly less than it had once been.

"It will give you two an excuse to see Ninjago again after so long." Nya laughed.

Ray gave a sheepish grin. "There is that too. Though Ninjago City and the surrounding area has been something to explore, I think it's time for us to spread our wings a little more. With these phones and satellites we can stay in contact, and of course we plan on returning regularly."

A small zing of unease went through Kai at the thought of being seperated like that from his parents again. Yet Ray was right. They could stay close through technology, and it wasn't like he and Nya didn't know where they would be. Still, years of uncertainty brought about by Krux were hard to just put on the backburner. So he faked it with a grin.

"You guys definitely deserve to travel. I'll ask Lloyd for a list of places Misako still wants to look." His faux smile dropped and he sighed. "Maybe with more people looking we'll find Master Wu sooner. I don't think any of us thought it'd take this long..."

"When do you want to leave?"

"Within the week if you two are okay with it." Maya eyed her children carefully.

Kai stood up. "Alrighty then. I'll go find Lloyd. Nya can you look for Zane? He and P.I.X. can help put together a list of stuff for you guys to pack."

"Can do." Without further discussion Nya left the living room.

Kai was about to follow her when his father's voice stopped him.

"We'll be back Kai, I promise."

This time, though small, a genuine smile tugged at Kai's lips. "I know." And he did.

But that didn't mean, silly as it was, he wouldn't be worried about them while they were gone.

3 Months Later

"No luck?" Nya asked, pushing her lengthening hair out of her eyes.

Her mother's image on the screen sighed and shook her head. "No. Stiix was another dead end. We're going to meet up with Misako at the Domu library to plan what to do next. She said she had an idea that she didn't want to get into over the phone. Not sure what that's about but we'll find out soon. How are you guys doing?"

"Hanging in there. As I'm sure you know there's always another bad guy and there's been some recent increases in criminal activity here in the city. Kai and Zane are investigating a string of high tech robberies that look like it might be the same person or persons involved. I've been focusing on developing some new vehicles for the team but other than that nothing too much-" her words were cut off by a beep on her wrist communicator.

"Nya can you come down to the ops center? Something's just come up." Lloyd's voice filled the room.

"I stand corrected." Nya looked at the screen. "Call you later?" Maya nodded and blowing Nya a kiss, she ended the call. Tapping her watch, Nya headed down the hall. "I hear you Lloyd. On my way down."

In the control center Lloyd stood hunched over a computer console, his eyes running quickly over whatever words were on screen. Nya cleared her throat to get his attention. He didn't even look at her. Nya frowned, whatever he was reading couldn't be good if he didn't have the presence of mind to be aware of his surroundings.

"Whatcha got Lloyd?" Only because she knew him so well could Nya tell by the twitch of Lloyd's face that she'd startled him. However the furious look on his face almost took her breath away. "What's wrong?" She seriously doubted it was her entrance that prompted such a reaction.

"These reports." Lloyd practically spat. "Multiple tips have come in about a suspected slave labor operation going on near the southern end of the island."

Ah, that explained Lloyd's reaction. His own history gave him more solidarity with these poor people than any of the other ninjas'.

But that didn't stop the anger rising up in Nya at the news, especially now that she knew that same thing happened to her own parents. 'Some people...' She couldn't even finish the thought. "What do you want me to do?"

"We have to make sure first of what's going on. Although given all this," he gestured to the papers scattered around him, "I don't think it'll take long. Are you okay infiltrating first before taking action?"

"For sure, what kind of operation is it?"

Lloyd brought up a grainy satellite image of a plantation. "From the sounds of it rice patties mostly-"

'Perfect for me.' She thought grimly, looking at the ponds scattered through the picture.

"-though it could involve more areas than we know of at the moment. That's why I'd like you to get in first and see what's going on before we take out the bosses. If there's others suffering because of these greedy opportunists I don't want them left behind."

"Got it. I'll go get what I need."

At Lloyd's nod Nya hurried from the room. She'd show these jerks that messing with those who couldn't fight back would be the biggest mistake of their lives.