Into the Depths... AU Ninjago FanFiction

Chapter 14

I couldn't breathe. It was like the air became so dense that it couldn't be inhaled. I didn't normally have panic attacks but Maya coming to the one place I consider safe to destroy everything I know. . .

"Kai. . . Kai!"

Everyone's voices seemed faint as my thoughts ran rampant once again. This is not happening! I can't let this happen. . . I can't. . . I don't want to go back to that life. . .

"KAI!!!"

I took a shaky breath in as I snapped out of my thoughts. Ichi. . . ni. . . san. . . yon . . . go. . . roku. . . nana. . . hachi. . . kyu. . . juu. I counted in my head and back, breathing in on the even numbers and out on the odds. . .

Yeah, sorry about the Japanese back there. It just rolls off of my tongue but I was trying to learn a little just 'cause. . .

"You okay?" Lloyd asked, the angry glint dissipated from his gaze as he rested a hand on my shoulder. I looked around and everyone was really worried. Not wanting to worry them any more than they should be, I put on a false smile hopefully convincing enough to reassure them. Somehow, lying came easy to me at times other times not so much.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why'd you ask?"I asked, knowing too well that Lloyd'd drop the subject.

"Your heart rate increased dramatically as well as your stress levels." Zane informed as I cursed under my breath. I forgot Zane could do that whole diagnostic check on people.

"Honestly, I'm fine!" I snapped, pushing Lloyd's hand off of my shoulder, trying to regain control of my temper. They haven't done anything wrong. Why'd you snap at them like that. My conscience argued as I put it out of my mind for now and got down to business. "We need to be ready if they storm the building." I stated as they nodded in agreement. "Lloyd and Jay, go with Ray and stay out of sight—"

"Why aren't we helping with the fight?" Lloyd demanded. "I want to help. . ."

"We'll set up the defences. Come on, guys." Nya interrupted, immediately pulling Cole, Zane and Jay out of the room. "You too, Ray." She added as Ray stood up and followed everyone outside. Did she read my mind or did she see the tension rising. I thought as they left me and Lloyd standing alone.

"I know you want to help with this fight, but I don't want anything happening to you in the process." I told him, hoping he'd understand what my point was. Lloyd's head tilted to the floor as I spoke.  He looked like he understood what I was saying but I wasn't entirely sure, to be honest.

"I. . ." Lloyd looked up to meet my eyes. He took a deep breath and told me something important. "Kai, I love you. . ."

"You do?" I asked feeling as slow and stupid as a sloth.

"Hell I do! That's why I want to fight! I know your doing it to protect me, but you've got to remember. I'm not a little kid anymore. I can fight better than most of you blindfolded." Lloyd argued as I felt myself blush slightly. See, he does care. My mind screamed.

"Y'know what? I love you to, Lloyd. That little kiss earlier would've told me that much." I admitted as it was Lloyd's turn to blush. I love this guy. I thought as there was still a problem.  "I never said you couldn't fight. Between you and me, I can't have you being caught in the cross-fire. It's bad enough. . ." I was about to continue but the look Lloyd was pulling threw me off. "What?" I asked, annoyance edging my voice.

"There could've been a better way to put that, Kai."

It took me a second to realise what he was on about. Bruh, you put a flipping fire reference in there! Get with the programme, Kai! I snapped. "I didn't mean to put that pun in, I swear." I said, holding up my hands up as he looked at me like I was deliberately making a reference to my powers.