The Hoe Continues

It is a Stormy Day of Talking

~Previously on the last chapter~

"Where do you think I should start?"

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Jay was a pleasant person to be around.

Yes, he talks more than I expected in the last month, but it nice to have someone else in the monastery besides Wu and me.

Jay was advised to cook in the morning. It was mostly my responsibility, but now that Jay was here, the burden would be shared. I sounded like a mother. Aside than that, it feels strange to be in the dining room rather than the kitchen, but I'm giving Jay a chance here.

Jay eventually arrived with three plates. He placed them all on the table and sat next to me. Wu sat across from both of us, and we all started eating. "Do you like cooking?" Jay inquired. "I guess so, yeah?" I agreed by nodding. "At first, I don't understand why people enjoy it, but the more I do it, the more relaxing it becomes."

'Especially when you're alone with your thoughts to think.'

"How about you show me what you've made!" Jay was ecstatic. "I enjoy cooking as much as I enjoy inventing! Maybe I could make something insanely delicious!"

I smiled. Perhaps I would. It sounds like a lot of fun.

Breakfast went off without a hitch, and we moved on to training for the rest of the day. Lunch came and went, Jay failed his second test of the day, and it was soon time for dinner.

I wanted to try to make something Jay would recognize because the foods I prepared from memory don't exist in Ninjago. I know, I know, shocker. Sensei Wu is unconcerned about what I cook as long as it is palatable and nutritious for us. I opted to produce yakisoba because it exists in this world. Now I'm just in the mood to cook.

"Hey, what are you making?"

I sprang into position and cursed in pain after accidentally hitting my head against the low open cabinet door.

"Oh no! Sorry!" Jay was right next to me, his hand on my opposite arm.

I only rubbed my eyes. "I-I'll be fine," I said, holding back tears with a shaky smile. "Not the first time, man."

Jay chuckled nervously. "Yeah, uh... It must be difficult to slip out from behind with those cabinets open."

"If the pain is in the form of headaches, then yes." I chuckled quietly. I blinked a single tear away before sniffing.

"So, uh, you're making yakisoba!" Jay let go of his anxiety and barely hopped with delight. "It looks amazing!"

I smiled as I returned to my cooking. A variety of noodles sat in the skillet beside a variety of vegetables, all of which were frying together. "Thanks," I said. "I hope it tastes good enough for you."

"If it tastes as good as it looks, it'll be great!" Jay stated this.

Jay stood by me as I finished my cooking. Jay talked the whole time, and I just listened since I didn't want to lose focus on my cooking like last time. Although I respect Jay's ability to talk nonstop for so long. Even if one conversation ended, something would remind him of another, and he would easily transition into another.

Dinner was eventually served. Jay truly adored my cuisine, as seen by his three full plates. He stated he hadn't had yakisoba in a long time, and that the last time he did, it was from a fast food restaurant.

Of course, I was overjoyed to watch him have such a good time. It was also enjoyable for me.

When the second night arrived, I went outside. The sky was mostly clear, and the air was perfectly motionless. I made my way to the monastery's outside wall and carefully ascended to the top. My modest pastime was sightseeing. I enjoy doing it to pass the time, though I've always found it preferable to do it beneath the moon, as minor gusts can blow through.

I turned when I heard footsteps. Wu appears to have exited the structure and was approaching the monastery's exit.

"Wu?" I inquired.

"(Y/N)..." Sensei gave me a little smile as he gazed up at me. "You're staying up late."

"Did something unexpected happen? Who did I need to fight?" I questioned quietly. I descended from the top of the wall to face Sensei Wu.

"No need for that (Y/N)," said Sensei Wu. "I was just getting ready to look for our next student."

"You said 'first of four' when I met Jay," I pointed out. "Do you even know who you're looking for?"

'Will it be my friends again?'

Wu gave a nod. "After much thought, I have finally identified the four I am looking for."

"The four who will protect the Green Ninja? One that could become the Green Ninja?"

"The world will not come to a halt because the Green Ninja has not been found," he said gently. "It will continue anyway, and we must be prepared to prevent darkness from rising."

"Yes yes Wu, I know the story and the legend," I said, comprehending the predicament. "I'm a person of my words; I won't mention the Green Ninjas to anyone else until the time is appropriate."

I looked in astonishment and perplexity as the wind scarcely picked up. The breeze felt familiar...

The exit doors of the monastery were opened. When I looked up, Sensei Wu had closed the enormous doors behind him and was standing in front of the carved stairs. "I should be back by tomorrow evening," he said softly. "Train with Jay in the meantime." He appeared on the other side of the door and asked, "Will you?"

I looked at him, puzzled, but said, "Of course."

He was apprehensive, but he turned and started down the mountainside.

Later, after Wu had left, I was attempting to sleep when I thought I heard someone but Jay was already asleep. It had to be nothing.

The next day had arrived, and Jay was most likely still sleeping, so I sat at the table and patiently waited for him while reading a book I had taken from Sensei's room. Since he expressed wanting to try cooking something together, I told him that would be great fun.

He eventually awoke, and I can see he's eager to cook with me. 'Aww, how sweet for his gladness.'

Jay and I decided to cook pancakes, a traditional breakfast dish. Chef's kiss, but we got carried away with the pancake batter and created too much...oops....

"I think we made a little too much, haha!"

"Sensei, you could have some!" Jay was ecstatic.

"Oh! He isn't here right now. He's out looking for someone new," I explained.

Instead of being disappointed, Jay's excitement grew, as did mine.