Nya POV: We sat there in silence for a long time, just staying close to each other. Eventually we just fell asleep and the next thing I remember was waking up on Kai's shoulder. I gently raised my head to rub my eyes without bothering him as I looked down at his arm. His sleeve was still rolled up, showing all the scars that I didn't know were even there. Plus there's the fact that he lied to me about forge training.
When we were young, when I was ten years old, Kai left to 'check something out' and was gone for a year until he eventually came back. I was so lonely and scared during that time and I was crying when I saw him walking back to our house. I spent that day just crying in relief that he was back and he just let me stay in his arms. I cried so much that I fell asleep and he had to explain the next day. He told me then that he got into some forge training unexpectedly and was there for the whole year. I was upset that he didn't tell me before leaving and I made him promise to not do that again. He promised and he kept it, but to think that it wasn't true this whole time.
I just stared at him for a bit before he finally stirred. He also rubbed his eyes before he looked at me. He pushed himself up a little and said, "Hey."
"Hey." I wanted to say more, but he still sounded so tired that I let it go.
We helped each other, and he hugged himself and said, "Sorry… for lying to you."
Of course he would apologize, "Kai, it's okay. You didn't want to talk about it and I shouldn't have forced you. I'm sorry about that."
He just looked down and said, "Maybe…"
This isn't going to be easy, getting him to open up about what those scars mean. But that's more than okay. I'll do anything to make him feel better.
"Alright, I'm going to suggest something. But you might not like it." I said, and he looked at me.
I know he's going to hate this, but I asked, "Why don't you get a full scan with Zane? To check out those scars."
Immediately he got uncomfortable and he was about to say something when I cut him off, "I'll swear him to secrecy. And it will just be you and him. I'll even ask him to not ask anything that you're not comfortable with."
He didn't say anything, but he still looked really uncomfortable. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. I could have gone too far with that.
I was about to say sorry, but he said quietly, "Okay…"
I was surprised that he actually agreed, but this was good. "Okay, when do you want to do it?"
"Now, before I lose my nerve." He said after thinking about it.
At least he was willing to get it over with. But I was a little nervous about what other scars there really were. I'm definitely not going to ask him or Zane. Though my imagination wasn't really helping me.
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Zane POV: I was a little caught off-guard when Nya approached me this morning. She wanted me to help Kai get a full scan, but she didn't fully explain why. And she made me promise to not ask any questions that he didn't want me to. I was confused, but I figured that it would be best to just agree with her. Since Kai… he seemed too tired to be his usual stubborn self. Something has happened between them, that much was obvious, and I will help them both. Though I would be lying to myself if I wasn't hoping for answers.
However, we all walked in silence as we headed to the advanced med bay at Borg Tower. Once we arrived Nya stayed outside so that we could have privacy. Though, by the look on her face, I could tell she wanted to stay. But she nodded and left us. Borg had the latest medical equipment set up for us to use and I modified them specifically for elemental masters. One of them had a medical cot pulled out. Which I gestured for Kai to sit on for us to get started. Again, he didn't say anything as he got onto it and I got to work.
Kai continued to stay nothing as I began with the routine tests. But even that was weird, because he barely flinched when I had to draw blood. Kai has stated before, quite vocally, that he hates needles. Now I was starting to get very concerned about his behavior.
I didn't say anything right away and got the tests started. I turned to him and said, "Now that we have finished the routine work we can do the main tests."
"Which are?" he said, and I was caught a little off guard.
It honestly sounds like he has been crying. But I let go and walk over to the machine. As I started it up I explained, "This will scan your entire body. It's similar to my scans, but it will be more conclusive."
"Okay." he commented, but I continued.
"It would be best, however, to remove the top of your uniform to make it easier and faster.
He got noticeably uncomfortable when I said that, which I was a little confused about. However, I didn't make a comment and continued to set up the machine. He slowly got off and started to take his uniform top off. I finished and turned to him. I was about to say something when I froze.
His torso… was covered in scars of all kinds. None of them were red or looked irritated. However, they looked like they were painful to receive. They looked like claw marks, maybe some were from talons of some kind, as well as large bite marks. The ones that were concerning were the marks on his neck. There was a raggard line that looked like it circled his neck, along with small hole-like scars that might have been from nails.
He wasn't facing me however, given his body language, he knew that I was looking. And he was more uncomfortable from that. It was clear this is what happened between Kai and Nya. And maybe this has some relation to what Cole experienced.
But it's clear Kai isn't ready to talk yet, so I quietly cleared my throat and said, "Alright, we're ready to start."
He looked at me, a little surprised that I didn't say anything, and nodded. On his chest there were more scars that were similar to the ones on his back. He got back on the cot and laid down. I started it and watched as he was moved inside.
As the machine ran I thought of the scars. I've never seen them before, but this revelation would explain his usual behavior. The situation that we were in may have triggered something that pushed him over the corner. Master Wu may have sensed during their talk. Maybe I will ask about this later. Though maybe that wouldn't be a good idea if this is a private conversation. I'm just not sure how to handle this, outside of letting him be for now.
Finally, it finished and Kai, once he was out, quickly put his uniform top back on. I didn't mention that and gathered the data from the machine.
"Well?" Kai asked once he was done. He sounded a little shaky when he asked, which makes sense now.
"The tests are going to take some time. I would recommend coming back later for the results." I explained as I uploaded the data into the computer.
"Alright, then… see you later." He said, and he left.
He closed the door behind him, but I heard Nya and he talk for a little as they walked away. But I did feel a little bad when they did.
Because I lied about some of the tests. I had the basic results and just was waiting for more conclusive answers. More specifically, I knew more about his previous injuries. Some I knew about some of them because they were from our missions, but the others were slightly alarming. He had broken bones that barely healed correctly and evidence of previous sprains that appeared to have been severe.
What exactly did Kai go through?
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Nya POV: It took them a while to finish, but eventually Kai walked out. Still quiet as he closed the door.
And I waited until it closed before saying, "Very good?"
"It's going to be a while, but I'm sure I'll be okay," he said. He did sound a little better.
But I know that he is far from out of the water. I quietly asked, "Did you guys talk?"
He just shook his head and started to walk away. And I followed, letting it go for now. He just needed some more time. I'm sure that once the results come in he will be more willing to talk about it.
I have to believe that.