Tormented Rescue (Ninjago Fanfiction)

Part 23

"Nya?" Wu popped his head around the door to Nya's room and Nya looked up from the pile of things on her bed.

"Oh, hi Sensei, I was just sorting some old stuff out, do you need something?" Nya carefully got off of her bed and picked up a stack of miscellaneous cards and paper, and placed them into a half-empty box on the floor.

"I just came to tell you that Kai has something to tell you, he's waiting for you on Destiny's Bounty," Wu said with a smile. Nya froze in between steps, doing a double take before staring at Wu.

"Is he ok?" Nya asked quickly, her voice on the edge of panic. Wu's smile faltered, knowing where Nya's panic came from, and that it probably would stay that way forever.

"Yes, he just has something he needs to talk to you about," Wu gave her a reassuring look and Nya relaxed a bit.

"Alright... thanks, Sensei," Nya picked her way through some boxes and gave Wu a small smile as she walked past.

Nya hopped over the side of the Destiny's Bounty and found Kai pacing back and forth near the opposite side of the deck. He had his eyes closed and was rubbing his hands while shaking.

"Kai?" Nya quickly asked, getting concerned at Kai's demeanour. Kai snapped out of his thoughts and looked up at Nya. He gave her a weak smile.

"Hey sis," Kai said quietly.

"Why... what-- are-- are you ok? Why are you shaking like that?" Nya made her way over to Kai and took his hands in hers. Kai was shaking so much, it made her shake.

"Hah, I'm just nervous, that's all..."

"Nervous?" Nya looked up at Kai and he gulped.

"Yeah, I... I have something... there's-- there's something we need to talk about..." Kai spoke quietly and slowly, and he felt his hands start to clam up again.

"Ok... I'm listening," Nya prompted Kai, still holding his hands, inspecting his eyes for any clues.

They stayed like that for a minute before Kai let go of his breath and pulled his hands away from Nya's. He hugged himself and closed his eyes.

"Uh... ok, well..." Kai took a deep breath and stood straighter. "My statement. The one I never finished." Kai started, opening his eyes.

Nya slowly nodded, waiting for a continuation. Kai stared at her for a moment before continuing.

"I... remember how... how before I went... we planned that-- that you'd come with me...?" Kai stumbled over his words, rubbing the back of his neck and trying his best to stop his over-the-top shaking.

Nya caught her breath but gave a blank expression, glancing to the side.

"Yeah-- Yeah, I remember..." Nya whispered. Kai gulped and bit his lip.

"I... I-- I need to go back... and finish it... and well-- they said... well-- Wu thought..." Kai couldn't make his mouth say it.

Every instinct in his body was telling him to turn around and forget about telling Nya anything, but the other parts of him knew that he had to do this; for himself, and for Nya.

Nya patiently waited until Kai sighed and turned around, looking away from Nya and hugging himself again.

She let go of her breath and stepped up to him. She lightly touched his arm making him glance over his shoulder and she gave him a soft look.

"Wu thought...?" She pressed him on, not wanting him to give up on telling her whatever it was that he needed to tell her.

Kai stared at her, hesitating, before he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I want you to come with me." He blurted out. For whatever reason he felt afraid of Nya's reaction. Nya caught her breath, a wobbly smile growing on her face, her eyes starting to sting. Kai's eyes were shut tightly, anticipating some sort of noise from Nya, but when the silence stayed for too long, he risked looking over his shoulder.

Nya had her eyes closed, looking slightly downward; tears spilled down her cheeks and she had covered her mouth with her hands. Kai quickly drew his breath and spun around. Seeing Nya cry made him want to cry too.

"Woah, Nya! Wait-- why-- why are you crying!? You-- you don't have to come if you really don't want to--" Nya interrupted Kai's panic with a tight hug. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, sniffling quietly against his neck. Kai, startled by the sudden movement and touch, froze, until Nya let out a shaky breath. He slowly put his arms around her.

"No, Kai, I... Of course, I want to come. I-- I wouldn't want it any other way..." Nya spoke quietly. Kai hadn't consciously been holding his breath, but when he let go of it, it felt like the biggest weight had just been lifted from his shoulders.

"Seriously...? You... you want-- want to come?" Kai asked her again, not believing in her true unconditional love and support. Nya sighed, closing her eyes, a small smile on her lips.

"Yeah, I do. I'm really glad you want me to come and I'm so relieved you're finally accepting my help..." Nya answered. Kai smiled to himself, closing his eyes as he hugged Nya tighter. They stayed standing in the embrace until the both of them let go at the same time, continuing to hold hands, looking into each other's eyes.

"Thank you, Nya,"

"Thank you, Kai,"