Bite Me! | lavashipping

10 | From Out of the Light

[a/n: had to rewrite a bit of chapter 7 because silly plot inaccuracies]

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"With all due respect," Kai touched his chest before surveying everyone gathered with a sharp stare, "I'd much rather swim in the Boiling Sea than go back to that place." Eyebrows furrowing, jaw moving as he bit on his tongue, he crossed his arms.

Trying to keep the discussion calm before Kai would get a chance to flash his temper some more, Cole added, "Yeah... I have to agree with Kai, I don't really feel like going back there." Maybe he shone the lamp right into his own face himself, he liked to believe the saying was right and Kai could serve as his candlestick.

Lloyd sighed. "Fine, you two can stay here with Wu. I guess it's better to have some ninja on standby while we're away." Waving towards the others, he continued, "The rest of us will take the Bounty, then, and go check if there's more behind the forest than just the Echo Canyons."

"I don't get what the fuss is about? Isn't it good that all we need is a little nap to recover from those injuries? Do we really need to worry about this?" While Cole was glad Kai asked those questions for him, the edge of his tone made him wonder. Sure, he wants everyone to drop this as soon as possible but why does Kai? Surely, there was no way it meant...

Kai shuffled under his gaze, so he decided to return his attention to the plan-making. Maybe he will get a chance later today.

"... For all we know there might be something more behind it, something more going on inside your bodies we are not aware of."

"I'm feeling fine." Kai squinted over them all. "Maybe we're giving this more attention than necessary." Only Cole's eyes were skipped over.

"Uh, Kai?" But whatever Jay wanted to bring up was immediately shot down with another one of Kai's flaming looks.

"Look, there's nothing bad about being vigilant. We don't need more trouble hiding right under our noses." Lloyd's words made the fire starter shut up but nothing stopped him from keeping up the barricade made of salt.

"Can't we just go tomorrow morning? I don't wanna search the forest when it gets dark," Jay said, receiving reassurance from Nya in the form of a pat on the shoulder and a, "Come on, don't worry. We'll be fast enough. Plus we were supposed to check out the florists in town tomorrow, remember?"

"If you say so..."

"Great." Lloyd slapped his hands together. "Let's go get ready. Nya, Pix, start up the Bounty, will ya?"

At first, Lloyd trailed after the group as they dispersed, chasing their tasks. But seeing as Jay hung behind, he decided to follow his example. Especially when he heard Kai's voice.

"Just leave it already, jackass, or next time it will be me doing some experiments and trust me, they won't be for the good of science."

"Come on, did you seriously not talk? I don't think you should just ignore it. Not in our world. You know none of us judge you and especially not Cole."

"You're overthinking it. Like you overthink everything. Just... lay off of me, will you?"

"Kai–"

"Fuck. Off. ¿Comprendes? Or do you need it on a fucking paper?"

Years of practice told him when to leave to avoid getting caught. Not that they would spell out the essence of their argument just because, plus he had other duties. While preparing for the trip, Lloyd kept going over his internal list of everything he knew, and over ideas on how to learn more. The accustomed growl of the awoken ship made this easier.