Ninjago: Amplified - [A Ninjago Fanfiction]

[9] - Fate's Cruel Hand

Aurora and Akiri stared at the tiny tea shop across the street, perplexed.

"So," Akiri began. "Tell me again why your doctor thought taking you here was the best option?"

"I don't even know myself." Aurora facepalmed. "Let's just get this over with."

The traffic lights turned red, allowing them passage. As Aurora went to cross the street, moving away from the sidewalk, she winced. An abrupt bolt of pain shot through her leg, and she had to steady herself against Akiri's side to prevent from falling.

"Thanks..." Aurora sighed, straightening her stature. "Right. No more stalling. Let's do this."

Akiri opened the door for them once they reached their destination, letting Aurora enter first. The merry chime of an entry bell jingled from above as Aurora stepped inside, and she dumbfoundedly surveyed their surroundings.

There was a pleasant scent of flowers and honey that lingered around them. A small seating area was decorated with tansies on tables and scenic paintings on the walls. Directly across from the two was a long front table with a menu displaying popular items on its front. Behind the counter, lining the wall, were shelves chock-full of tea leaves and other concoctions Aurora couldn't immediately recognize.

For a heartbeat, Aurora wondered if they'd gotten the address wrong. Her doctor had said that this place could help her, but nothing about it screamed THE ANSWERS TO ALL OF YOUR MYSTERIOUS, SO-CALLED MAGICAL PROBLEMS.

In fact, there wasn't anything unusual about that place at all– it was just a normal tea shop!

Aurora was about to share those doubts with Akiri, but she was interrupted entirely.

"Welcome!" An older voice spoke. "I was wondering when you would show up."

"E-excuse me?" Aurora nearly startled, genuinely taken off-guard. Her gaze snapped over to the front counter, where the noise had originated.

An elderly woman appeared from one of the back rooms not a second later, chuckling at Aurora's reaction.

"No need to worry." She assured. "You came from the hospital, I presume?"

For a moment, Aurora questioned how the elder would've known that; though she reminded herself that her doctors had likely given the older woman a notice before she'd arrived.

Get ahold of yourself. Aurora internally scolded herself. She's just an old woman– there isn't anything to be nervous about.

Akiri remained eerily silent as they stepped up to the counter, her eyes fixed on the stranger. Yet Aurora didn't have time to question the oni's behavior.

"Yeah, we did." Aurora nodded. "Is it true that you can help me?"

"Not me." The elder corrected. "But I can do my best to ease your pain, as well as provide the answers that you seek."

"Come!" She ordered abruptly. Humming a cheerful melody, she wandered into the room she'd originated from.

Aurora went to follow, but Akiri grabbed her hand.

"Aura," the hidden oni spoke quietly, as if intimidated by the kind old woman. "I don't know what's happening, but something feels wrong."

"Wrong?" Aurora turned to her in worry. "What do you mean?"

"I-it's the old woman." She whispered. "Something about her isn't sitting right with me."

Aurora sighed through her nose, weighing her options.