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

Chapter 18

Wu rested his hand on his brother's shoulder as Garmadon ran his fingers through his hair. "What am I supposed to do?" he wondered.

Wu sighed. "I don't know," he murmured. "But I do know that Lloyd is feeling really rejected, and you know what happened last time he felt that way."

"But so is Kai!" Garmadon groaned. "I didn't realize how much I was hurting him until he came to me in tears!"

Wu shook his head. "This is a real dilemma," he muttered.

Garmadon drew his hand over his face. "When I try to talk to Kai, Lloyd gets hurt. But when I try to talk to Lloyd, Kai gets hurt," he went on. "If they could just get along, maybe I could talk to both of them."

Wu rubbed his beard. "Lloyd and Kai have had quite some bumps in their relationship," he murmured. "I don't know how well they can get along anymore."

"Exactly!" Garmadon exclaimed. "And now I'm forced to choose between them. Lloyd is my son—and he should be my first priority. But Kai grew on me, and I grew on him. I love him like a son, and I can't just shut him out."

"No one is forcing you to choose anything," Wu told him. "But... Lloyd is your son."

Garmadon didn't respond.

"Maybe you just need to find a balance," Wu suggested. "And make sure they both get the support that they need."

Garmadon looked at the ground. "That's easier said than done," he murmured."Now I'm sure Lloyd hates me. And Kai..." His voice suddenly trailed off and he leaped to his feet. "Kai!"

Wu stared at him. "What about Kai?"

Garmadon placed his hand on his head, eyes wild with panic. "I was supposed to meet him in the training courtyard about an hour ago!" he gasped out. "I completely forgot!"

Wu sighed and shook his head as his brother raced out of the room. He does not know how to handle this, does he?

* * *

Kai sighed as he stared at the ground, chin resting on his hand. He had been waiting for Garmadon for what felt like hours, and now he felt nothing but hollow inside. As if he'd really come, he thought dejectedly. He's been distracted the whole day. It was foolish to get my hopes up.

Kai looked up as a faint drizzle of rain started to fall. He let out another sigh and rose to his feet. In any event, it's too late now. I can't train in the rain.

Footsteps pounded from behind him and Kai turned around as Garmadon burst through the door.

"Kai," he breathed, "I am so sorry."

Not able to respond, Kai shook his head and swept past the sensei into the monastery. He put his hands in his pockets and headed for the stairs.

"Kai, wait!" Garmadon called as he rushed after him.

Kai halted but didn't turn around.

"I didn't mean to leave you out there," Garmadon stammered. "I just... There was Lloyd, and we had to talk... but then I just forgot..."

"You seem to be forgetting a lot lately," Kai murmured. "Forgetting about me, my feelings, and everything I've been through." Before Garmadon could reply, Kai spun around to face him again. "You know what?" the ninja huffed. "I... I give up. I never should've interfered with you and Lloyd's relationship in the first place. I've had enough getting hurt in this whole back-and-forth routine."

Garmadon's eyes widened. "Don't do this, Kai," he pleaded.

Kai took a step backward, eyebrows furrowed. "I don't need you," he spat. "I don't need anyone. I never used to have someone there to look after me, and I don't need someone now. No one understands how I feel, and I'm tired of trying to make them. They don't need to know—because I can handle it alone."