[Ninjago: Amplified] Modern AU

[45] - Fighting The World's Cruelties

Akiri leaned an elbow against the passenger side door, propping her head up with a palm. She watched the world blur by from outside of the window, sighing through her nose.

It had been a week since Aurora had returned to them, and yet Akiri couldn't stop worrying over her. She found herself even getting distracted during school, because of it.

It was obvious that Aurora was still struggling from whatever she'd gone through. She constantly spaced out, reliving memories from a different time. She tried her hardest to place some distance between herself and her friends, occasionally pulling away from any sort of physical touch (such as moving out of arm's reach if Eris tapped her shoulder, or leaning just the slightest bit away from those she was sitting next to).

The more Akiri noticed, the more she felt lost. She wanted to help Aurora in whatever ways she could, but she had no idea how!

Akiri feared bringing up what had happened while Aurora was missing, as she didn't want to upset her. But there was so much more she wanted to talk about, now that she was finally back: how much she'd missed Aurora, how lost she'd felt without her, and how much she meant to her. Yet Akiri was unsure if she should, as it would likely overwhelm Aurora entirely.

So, instead, Akiri and her friends decided to dismiss what had happened. They talked with Aurora as though she hadn't gone missing at all– but Akiri didn't feel right about doing that, either. Aurora was still upset, yet she felt absolutely powerless to help her.