Darkness from Within #5: Uneasy Trust (A Ninjago Fanfiction)

Chapter 15

After dinner that night, Garmadon watched Jay, Nya, Zane, and Cole head up the stairs. He frowned when he saw Kai trailing after them. Wu had told him how rejected the red ninja had been feeling since Lloyd came home. I never meant to hurt him, he thought. I guess I just forgot how much he needs me during all the drama.

Garmadon turned his head as Wu walked up beside him. The sensei nodded his head toward Kai before disappearing into the kitchen again. Understanding, Garmadon took a deep breath and went over to the red ninja.

"Kai," he called.

Kai halted and turned around. He walked down the couple stairs he climbed until he was on the floor again. "Sensei?"

Garmadon wondered how to start the conversation. "Hey, we... we haven't talked in a while," he murmured. "I just want to know how you're doing."

Kai crossed his arms. "Sensei Wu told you, didn't he?" he muttered.

Garmadon hesitated.

"I can't say anything in front of that guy," Kai huffed, frustrated.

"It doesn't matter what my brother said," Garmadon continued. "What matters is how you feel." He stepped forward and rested his hand on the ninja's shoulder. "Kai, I never meant to ignore you. I don't want you to feel rejected or uncared for."

Kai looked at the ground and didn't respond.

"I'm sorry if I ever made you feel like I didn't love you," Garmadon murmured. "I guess I just got busy and kinda forgot, but that's no excuse."

Kai lifted his head slightly. "You... you love me?" he whispered.

Garmadon stared at him. "Of course I do," he breathed. "You're like a son to me."

Kai's eyes glittered emotionally and a weak smile appeared on his face. "I-I like that," he said quietly.

Garmadon smiled back at him, and for a moment they stood in silence. Then the sensei clapped his hands together. "Tell you what," he began. "Tomorrow, we'll spend together. We'll talk—do whatever you want. Just you and me, to catch up with each other."

Kai's smile broadened and he nodded. "I'd enjoy that," he said.

"Good," Garmadon stated. He ruffled the red ninja's hair. "Now, go get some sleep."

"Hey, careful!" Kai laughed, fixing his hair again. Garmadon chuckled as the ninja turned around. "Good night," Kai added.

"Good night," Garmadon repeated before the ninja disappeared up the stairs.

Warmth filled Garmadon and he sighed in content. Then he spun around and froze when he spotted Lloyd not far away. The green ninja's eyes blazed with a mix of both fury and hurt.

Although he didn't do anything wrong, Garmadon felt as if he had just gotten caught. "Lloyd," he began carefully. "I can explain."

Lloyd scoffed and swept past his father, storming up the stairs. He gritted his teeth as he headed down the hall, completely frustrated. Oh? So now Dad has another son? he thought angrily. I'm not good enough?

He slammed his bedroom door and began pacing the floor aggressively. Oh, wait, I forgot! he thought sarcastically. According to Dad, I'm not his son anymore!

"Did you forget, Dad?" Lloyd snarled to himself. "'You have no son'?"

"Lloyd?"

Lloyd tensed at the voice of his father. He didn't hear that, did he? "Go away!" he demanded.