"When do you think he's going to wake up?"
"I don't see why that matters."
"This is so cute!"
"Would you stop talking before he wakes up?"
Kai groaned, slowly becoming aware of the world around him. He could hear the others' voices around him. Making sense of them was a different story.
"Nya's got to hurry before he wakes up," Lloyd whispered.
"What's happening?" Kai mumbled.
He felt an arm around him with a hand on his shoulder. He looked down at the hand and the android next to him.
"Good morning," Zane smiled.
Kai quickly shuffled away from him, hearing snickers from the other three in the room.
"What's happening?" Kai asked, yawning.
"Well, looks like you fell asleep out here somehow," Lloyd replied. "You never did come back to bed."
"Yeah, what happened?" Jay asked. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Kai replied, feeling slightly overwhelmed by everyone around him.
"You don't seem fine," Cole frowned, crossing his arms.
"I'm fine, Cole," Kai glared.
"You know no one is upset with you, right?" Jay blurts out.
"Dude!?" Lloyd snapped, looking over at the redhead as Cole facepalmed.
"Upset?" Kai frowned, looking between the three before he remembered last night. He turned to Zane, "You told them!?"
"You never said not to," Zane replied. "Was I not supposed to?"
"No!" Kai cried. "That was supposed to stay between us!"
"My apologies," Zane sighed. "I did not realize. I will ask next time."
"Remind me not to tell him any of my secrets," Cole mumbled to Lloyd, who nodded in response.
"Either way, no one is upset," Jay insisted.
Kai looked away, not wanting to meet anyone's gaze.
"I got it! I got- aw, did I miss it?" Nya ran in, seeming disappointed.
"I think it's time we leave," Lloyd turned to her. He motioned to Cole, who quickly followed.
Zane stood, allowing Jay to sit next to Kai before following the others out and closing the door behind him. Kai could hear Zane shooing the other three away as they tried to eavesdrop.
"Kai?"
He didn't look up.
"Kai? Can we please talk about this?"
Kai glanced over, seeing Jay waiting for him to answer.
"You seemed mad last night when you talked with Cole," Kai mumbled.
"Last night?" Jay questioned. "How do you know what- wait, were you-," he paused, watching Kai's response. "That makes sense. And sounds like you."
"I'm sorry," Kai mumbled.
"Don't be," Jay hummed, scooting closer to his friend. "You don't have anything to be sorry for."
"But I suggested that stupid bet and-"
"And nothing," Jay interjected. "You were trying to help set me up with him because I was a nervous wreck as always."
"But you were upset," Kai countered.
"Only because I didn't realize what was happening," Jay replied. "I thought it was Cole's idea. When he told me it was yours, it made sense. You were trying to help both him and me and have fun. Just like you always do."
Kai smiled, looking down.
"And it worked," Jay hummed.
"It did?" Kai's eyes lit up. Jay simply nodded, looking over. "You two confessed!"
"Yeah," Jay grinned. "We aren't using names or anything yet, but we agreed to go out. We don't know how it will work when we go home."
"Doesn't matter," Kai cut in. "Love will find a way for you two to be together. I know it!"
Jay chuckled, seeing his friend back to himself. He became worried again, though, as Kai's expression fell.
"Wait, that means I lost the bet, though," Kai grumbled.
"Yeah, you did," Jay grinned.
Kai frowned, seeing how proud Jay seemed of himself.
"You know, you can be a real ass sometimes, right?" Kai glared.
"I know," Jay smirked. "Now, come on. Pixal was making waffles for breakfast, and I want to get there before Cole eats them all."
Kai grinned as Jay jumped to his feet. Both raced off, finding the others already in the dining room, happily eating and talking.
Kai slid in at the end of the table, with Jay sitting next to him. Cole sat on Jay's other side with his mouth full of waffles. He nudged the redhead with his shoulder with a playful smirk. Jay bumped him back with a dorky smile.
Pixal walked in with another plate of waffles. She set them down, giving the two who just joined a small nod. "So, what's on the agenda today?"
"Not too sure," Jay shrugged. "Anyone have any ideas?"
"All I know is I'm getting kinda bored here," Nya mumbled. "There isn't much to do."
"Most likely because the ninja spend their time training," Lloyd commented. "They wouldn't have much free time."
"I mean, we could play more video games or watch another movie?" Jay suggested.
Cole sighed, "We've played just about everything, and we've watched several movies already. It's been two days of being here."
"He's got a point, dude," Kai hummed. "I wouldn't mind going out and seeing what we could do."
"Misako said she was working at the museum," Nya suggested. "We could go there."
"But museums are so boring," Lloyd groaned. "Why not just explore the actual thing instead of looking at fake, plastic models."
"Because not everyone wants to get lost in the wilderness for days," Kai retorted.
"Says you," Lloyd grumbled as Pixal sat opposite Wu at the end of the table.
"Maybe I could go meet my parents in this world?" Jay suggested. "Mom would have some fun stories about this world."
"I can always call them at the Junkyard and let them know," Pixal suggested. "I'm sure they'd love to meet you."
Kai snickered, "Junkyard? Are we talking about the right people here?"
"Yeah, are my parents not actors?" Jay questioned.
"Not that I'm aware of," Pixal frowned. "Perhaps my circuits are on the fritz?"
"No, Pixal," Wu echoed. "I think the confusion is coming from elsewhere."
"What are you talking about?" Jay asked. "Are my parents ok?"
"Jay, the parents you knew don't exist in this world," Wu explained. "While no one knows what happened to your mother, your father passed recently. You were given away as an infant to the Walkers."
"So, the Walkers were my parents here?" Jay asked as he struggled to understand.
"Yes."
Jay looked down, his stomach in knots. He didn't know how to feel about this. Cole wrapped an arm around his friend, pulling him in.
"Hey, just remember that this isn't our world," Cole hummed. "Your parents are alive and well back in their world." Jay simply nodded. "Plus, you can see what life is like here for your alternate self. Right?"
"That would be interesting," Jay hummed.
"How about that for something to do today?" Nya piped up. "We go and see our parents in this world?" She paused, then looked at Wu, "We all have parents, right?"
"Yes, in one way or another," Wu nodded. "I can get addresses for all of you if you'd like to visit them."
"That would be a nice way to spend the day, right?" Cole asked. "We can learn about our alternate lives here. And just see how different things were."
"I don't know," Kai mumbled, unsure of the idea.
"Oh, come on, Kai," Nya groaned. "It can be that bad. Please."
"She's right, you know," Jay whispered. "Who knows, maybe these versions are loving and supportive."
"Fine," Kai groaned. "I'll go."
Nya celebrated her victory as Wu excused himself to get them addresses. Pixal started clearing the empty plates.
"So, I'm guessing Kai and Nya are going together?" Lloyd sighed. "Does anyone want to do anything with me?"
"If you would like to spend time with your mother, I would be willing to accompany you to the museum," Zane said.
"Sounds like a great idea," Nya grinned. "You two can get to know each other a bit more."
"Great," Lloyd moaned, sinking into his chair.
"Well, since everyone is pairing off, should we go together, Jay?" Cole asked. "I'd love to meet your parents."
"Sure, but don't you want to meet yours?" Jay asked.
"Wu already told me my mom passed when I was little, so I don't know who I would visit," Cole shrugged.
Wu returned with a few slips of paper and passed them around, "you could always go and meet your father, Cole. I'm sure he'd love to get to know you. He raised Cole here, after all."
"I guess we could," Cole mumbled.
"Aw, come on, Cole," Jay smiled. "It'll be fun. We can do it together."
"Fine, but only if we still have time after you meet yours," Cole turned to Jay. "I don't want to take you away if you want to spend time with them."
"So it's settled," Nya grinned. "Kai and I will go to the blacksmith shop, Lloyd and Zane will find Misako at the Museum, and Cole and Jay can find their parents. Wherever that is."
"I'll call everyone so they know what to expect," Wu commented.
Everyone nodded. The group dispersed to their rooms to get ready for the day. Kai and Lloyd walked into their rooms without speaking to each other. Kai flopped onto his bed, hoping to pretend nothing was happening.
"You know, Nya will come and drag you out if needed," Lloyd called from across the room.
"Like you care," Kai grumbled loud enough for Lloyd to hear.
"I'm not thrilled about any of this either," Lloyd turned, crossing his arms as he glared at Kai. "But you also know Nya is right. Our world here is completely different than back home. Your parents could be very supportive."
"Or they could be ten times worse," Kai retorted.
"You never know unless you go."
Kai grumbled, not moving from the bed. Lloyd walked over, standing over him. Kai glanced up, giving the blond a challenging look.
"Trust me, you don't want to deal with Nya angry," Lloyd stated.
Kai groaned, sitting up and pushing off the bed. He reluctantly got dressed as Lloyd walked out. He could hear him talking to someone outside the room. He shrugged it off. He didn't care.
Maybe something would happen, and he wouldn't have to go. Maybe Jay would be too upset and not want to go. Then Kai could say he wants to comfort Jay and stay behind. Nya couldn't do anything then. Right?
He grabbed a black hoodie from the closet, pulling it on and zipping it up as he walked to the door.
He opened it, seeing Lloyd disappear down the hallway with Zane. Nya stood outside the room, turning to him as the door opened.
"You ready?" she asked.
"I guess."
"Stop being such a party pooper, bro," Nya said, nudging him.
Kai glared at her. Nya shook her head with a sigh and started walking down the hallway. Kai followed, dragging his feet as he moved.
He only paused when Jay and Cole walked out of their room.
Jay was grinning ear to ear, rambling on about something to the prince. Cole was just listening, closing the door behind them. Cole looked over and gave Kai a small smile. Jay quickly spun around, lighting up upon seeing Kai.
"Are you excited or what!" Jay cheered.
"I'll go with or what," Kai grumbled. "What's got you so cheery anyway? You were all gloomy about the news before."
"Well, I talked to Cole and realized I know these people," Jay grinned. "It's Ed and Edna Walker."
"Weren't they your grandparents?" Kai asked.
"I was raised thinking they are, but they are just friends of my mom's," Jay grinned. "Only in our world they passed when I was 5 or something. I hardly remember them, but now I can get to know them all over again."
"Great to hear," Kai smiled, trying to be happy for him.
Jay quickly darted down the hallway, oblivious to Kai's disappointment. Kai sighed as everyone disappeared around the corner.
"Nya is most likely waiting for you."
Kai turned, seeing Sensei Wu walking up behind him.
"I know," Kai sighed, staring down the hallway.
"Why are you so reluctant to visit your parents?"
Kai hummed, looking over to see the elder watching him. Kai shrugged, "I guess I'm just used to our world. I don't want to go and find out our parents are the same here."
"I think you'll be surprised," Wu hummed.
"Sure," Kai rolled his eyes. "What? Am I their little golden child?"
"You'll have to go and see."
Kai grumbled, storming down the hallway. Hopefully, this wouldn't be too miserable.
Oh, who was he kidding?
This was going to suck.