Ninjago- "An ending is really just a new beginning"

Chapter 7

Harumi's POV

I couldn't move. Lloyd stood there, eyes glowing, face twisting in rage. My eyes widened.

"L-Loyd?", I stammered.

Barely a second had passed when those purple eyes swirled in confusion, until they widened.

"Rumi?", Lloyd stated it like a question, his eyes still glowing.

I didn't know what to do, I slowly made my way toward him. I know, I can be insane in times of peril.

Suddenly, Lloyd gasped, and his eyes cleared in a flash to his brilliant green. His eyes were wide, still staring at me. He shook his head vigorously, backing away as I made my way towards him.

"Stay back!", he warned,"I don't wanna hurt you, Rumi."

"Would you hurt me?", I asked gently.

He shook his head slower,"No—you know I won't—But don't come any closer!"

I stopped abruptly. He closed his eyes before looking at himself in the mirror.

I stood in silence, looking down, feeling slightly hurt—until he rushed towards me, taking my hands in his.

"Rumi", he said in a hushed voice,"I am so so, so sorry." His voice cracked at the last word.

My eyes widened. I tried to argue but he covered my mouth with his hand,"No I'm not finished", he said in as-a-matter-of-fact tone," I don't know what just happened, okay? So—I'm not gonna freak out, and you're not gonna freak out, agreed?"

I rolled my eyes and tried to say," When do I ever freak out?" But, with his hand covering my mouth, It came out like,"Web dove Ibefer reakoout?"

He raised his eyebrow and I groaned. I nodded in understanding before he sighed, freeing my mouth from his hand.

"Are you hurt?", he asks,"Are you—

I jumped and threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly.He hugged back, once he recovered from his surprise.

Once I let go, I looked at his sad smile.

I took a deep breath.

"ARE YOU OKAY?!,"I screamed involuntary, shaking his shoulders,"WHAT-HOW—WHY—"

"Harumi!", he hushed me in a quiet, yet urgent tone, grabbing my shoulders,"Quiet down, Quiet One."

I huffed, annoyed. He let me calm down, staring with me with those sad, guilty green eyes that made my insides melt—uh...that didn't mean anything, obviously.

"Firstly", I said calmly, but my voice was layered with obvious annoyance,"Do not call me Quiet One."

His smile widened, but a ghost of the sadness etched in his eyes still lingered,"I'm sorry,"he said gently,"You know I was only just joking."

I remained a neutral expression, but the staggering thumping in my chest made it very difficult.

"Secondly,"I stated," I want to know what just happened."

The word 'happened' came out as a whisper, making Lloyd cringe away in—fear? He slowly backed away from me but he wasn't getting away that easily. I grabbed his wrist, pulling him to face me. It worked. I spun him around so he could face me—his eyes were wide with surprise, his posture stiff. My eyes squinted in concern. Our faces were inches from each other.

I shook my head, staring at him,"Why are you always backing away from me?"

My voice cracked. Eventhough I didn't want to show how hurt I felt—it slipped.

He relaxed into a soft smile, taking my hand.

"It's not what you think", Lloyd told me gently,"I just don't want to hurt you."

I listened in silence.

"I don't know how", he said in a distant voice that almost sounded like he was talking to himself," After I fought the Overlord—I was sure that I'd never see that part of me again", he sighed," Guess I was wrong."

I shook my head,"The Oni and Dragon are a part of you. If the Dragon part of you is still there...then the Oni part will surely be there too."

I looked at him sadly, his eyes squinted in pain.

"But I promise,"I vowed," That I will help you get through this, okay? You have to trust me."

"I trust you,"he said, nodding.

"Okay then,"I said,"If you really trust me—what exactly happened back at the base?"

He tried to say something, but we heard someone knock on the door.

"Lloyd,buddy?", Cole called,"Are you in there?"

We froze simultaneously.

Uh-oh.