Fortune | A NINJAGO AU

Chapter 6: Preparation

Nya's POV

"How have you been holding up?" Kai asks, staring out my bedroom window. Outside the gates, reporters are practically trampling over each other to get close to the property, cameras angled upward to capture the entirety of the famous (or infamous, depending on how you think of it) Garmadon Estate. Kai gets distracted by a pretty blonde in the distance and raps his knuckles against the glass window in a futile attempt to get her attention. He winks repeatedly.

She pays him no mind, of course, as she's way too far away to even notice the sound of him tapping against the glass.

I roll my eyes and tug the blue silk curtains shut, concealing the sea of people gathering outside. With his source of entertainment taken away, Kai turns to face me, genuine concern blooming in his eyes.

I glance up at him, biting my tongue to keep my words from spilling out. I want to answer him honestly. I want to tell him that I've been adjusting horribly and that I really need his help. 

I break eye contact, looking down at the carpeted floor and clenching my fists to keep the emotions in.

But how could I ask for help? Kai's been adjusting perfectly to this life, and it would be inconsiderate to rain on his parade with problems that are only a result of my constant overthinking. None of my troubles are actually reasonable- Nobody's hurt or in trouble, everyone is incredibly nice and helpful (which kind of sucks because I can't make fun of anybody because they're all great people), and we pretty much just won the lottery.

 So why do I feel like I'm drowning in ice cold water?

"I'm great," I reply, not looking up to meet his eyes. "You?"

Kai's fist shoots out, ramming into my shoulder.

I yelp, stumbling to the side before regaining my balance. My shoulder throbs with pain, and I give it a squeeze to stop it from hurting. 

"What the heck was that for?!" 

Kai rolls his eyes, tossing a small embroidered pillow in the air and catching it. "I'm not stupid, Nya. I can tell when you're lying."

"I'm not lying!" I protest, dodging an airborne pillow. Another soft projectile quickly follows suit.

"I'm not stopping until you let me help," Kai sings, grabbing a blanket off the ground and squishing it into a ball. 

"I don't need help. I'm perfectly capable of solving my own problems," I huff indignantly, crossing my arms. If I want help, I'll ask for it. I don't need it forced into my life.

Kai sighs, a sigh that I take as an acceptance of defeat. I'm quickly proven wrong when he adds, "I didn't want to have to go this far, but you've left me no choice, baby sister."

"Kai. Get out of my room," I warn threateningly, lowering my head to give him a glare. I don't need him trying out his stupid ideas in my room.

Kai ignores me, of course, beginning to spin around the room with his arms extended- Like a human spinning top. It's more annoying than harmful, and it's not even the first time he's done it. I'm pretty sure that I have a toddler for an older brother. 

I climb onto my bed to avoid the whirl of spinning limbs and throw a decorative pillow, a blue wave embroidered on the front, at his face. The projectile nails him in the head, but he keeps going.

"Okay, okay! So I'm not doing that great! Stop!" I screech as he whirls closer.

Kai immediately stops and smirks triumphantly. "My tactics have worked yet again!"