We Hope Your Rules And Wisdom Choke You

Chapter 6: Such a chill

The loud hum of the engine and the violent whip of wind was the only noise to fill their ears. The small group opted to remain silent throughout their journey. What was there to talk about, anyways?

Sand skid lightly under the tires of the large vehicle. The vast distance of grainy sand reflected the light into his eyes. He squinted.

His palms began to sting as he clutches the spokes, veering gently away from hazards every now and again. Cacti, boulders, sometimes rabbits. He'd even passed a small sinkhole.

It takes him nearly ten minutes before he begins to soil under the deafening silence. He can't help it, he's a talkative person. The quiet was never really something he flourished in.

So he started a conversation.

"Remind me again why we're doing this?" He yells over the whipping wind, his voice carried back to his two passengers.

"I thought you knew?" The nindroid yells back. His voice can hardly be heard, so he lifts his foot to slow the speed of the dragon raider. The wind quiets.

"I do, just... remind me just in case."

Zane sighs, reluctant but willing. "Cole believes that if the thief is not Clutch, then it is at least someone he knows, so we're heading to the explorers club for questioning."

"What?!" he exclaims. His shoulders slouch, a groan escapes his throat. "If I'd have known we were going there I would have gone with the others."

PIXAL, who had been utterly silent for the majority of the trip, finally speaks up with a question. "Why did you volunteer to come with us in the first place, Kai?"

The latter huffs a little.

He'd had a good reason for volunteering, sure, however, he was starting to regret his actions. He hates the people at the explorers club, and he says this wholeheartedly as hate is a strong word. Not to mention he was acting as a third wheel for the two nindroids. It felt a bit intrusive.

But as he said, he had a good reason.

He finds his words to respond.

Zane beats him to it, reading him like an open book. "It's because of Lloyd and Master Wu, correct?"

Kai simply huffs. "It's just so awkward between them!" He rants. "Plus, I don't wanna be there when Lloyd yells at Master Wu again. You should have heard him the first time, he was all "You caused this, Wu!" It was kind of scary." He carefully removes one of his hands from a spoke, rubbing the beading sweat off on his pant leg. He does the same with his other hand after a moment.

The nindroid behind him sighs loudly, and Kai can practically see his face: eyes closed, hand itching to pinch the bridge of his nose. He's incredibly expressive for a tin can.

"I can't believe you listened in on them." Zane slaps his shoulder playfully, but Kai can hear the subtle disappointment in his tone. It almost makes him feel liable.

"Hey, it wasn't my idea!" He denies responsibility. Although he's lying, Kai will let Zane believe it was Jay's idea.

PIXAL yells from behind them both, voice booming impressively through the wind. "If anything Kai, you should have stayed with Lloyd for that exact reason. You two are close, he needs you."

His nose crinkles at the sweetness of the statement. He needs you, Kai repeated in his mind. It was a kind sentiment. Lloyd was a brother to him, more so than the rest of the team. He had practically been raising him since the fire temple errupted, way back at the beginning of it all.

Now that Lloyd is going through a tough patch, and Kai willingly left him to deal with it alone, he begins to feel guilty.

But Lloyd is tough, Kai reminds himself. Whatever is happening to him, whether it be with Harumi or Master Wu, he can get through it.