Hidden in Plain Sight

Second Rounds, Reconciliation, and Coups

I didn't trust Kai not to do something stupid. My eyes fixated on him from across the cafeteria. It was breakfast and he was whispering with Skylor. I narrowed my eyes.

A hand waved in front of my view, snapping me out of my skeptical state.

"Are you in love with Kai's girlfriend now?" Lloyd said, rolling his eyes at me.

"Does this look like a lovesick gaze?" I said. Lloyd shrugged, poking his pancakes with his fork.

"I've never been in love, I don't know what to look for in someone who is," he said.

"What about Nya?" I said. Lloyd's eyes flicked around the room, not settling on anything particularly.

"I was ten," Lloyd mumbled, "And... I'm sorry about that."

"Oh. I forgive you," I said, not expecting an honest answer.

Movement caught my eye. Griffin Turner was sitting down next to Kai and Skylor. They were talking. And I had a feeling what they talked about did not line up with what I asked of Kai the previous night.

"Lloyd, I need to talk to Nya," I said.

"Well, isn't that nice," Lloyd said, "She doesn't want to get back together with you."

"I'm serious, Lloyd! I want to talk to her about what's going on here and now. I think we can work together."

"You'd betray the ninja to be a free agent, playing both sides of a war?" Lloyd said, using his spoon to play with his porridge instead of eating it.

"Trust me," I said, "If we are going to survive this tournament and get Zane back, we need to work together. We might've not been on the same team in the past, but we are now."

"I'll talk to her," Lloyd said, "But she's a little scared of you since you tried to murder her."

"Understandable," I said, "But if I don't talk to her quickly, Kai's going to do something stupid. He's going to cause more problems. and he won't take me at my word." Lloyd was silent. He thought to himself, stirring his oatmeal. Then he let out a long sigh.

"We've set up a base of operation behind a waterfall," Lloyd said, "She's probably there."

"Which waterfall?" I said. Lloyd gave me verbal directions. It was hard for me to remember all the details. However, I figured the worst-case scenario of not remembering was being lost in a jungle on a maniac's personal island prison. The best-case scenario is Nya. It's worth it.

"Thanks, Lloyd," I said, deciding to skip the first fight to discuss the Kai fiasco with Nya. I didn't need to see Neuro fight Chamille. My money was on Neuro.

As soon as I finished my breakfast, I went searching for Samurai X yet again. After much wandering in the jungle, I found the waterfall Lloyd told me about. 

I stepped under the water to see the Samurai X mech, as well as a Chen's Noodles food truck parked near the suit. Even though I knew Nya's secret, seeing the Samurai X mech was jarring. My heart pounded against my chest as I sensed danger. I calmed the nerves by reminding myself that Nya was Samurai X. It still didn't sound real to me.

As far as I could see, no one was attending the mech.

"Nya?" I said tentatively. My voice echoed in the cavern behind the waterfall. Water dripped onto my head. I cringed knowing that Nya chose a hiding spot that would only rust her creation. Come on, Nya, you're smarter than that.

I approached the mech, wiping the thin water layer off the metal. I took a deep breath, trying to figure out what my next move should be. I could try to reason with Kai. Or I could wander around the island and hope to run into the girl of my dreams.